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Etehadtavakol M, Etehadtavakol M, Ng EYK. Enhanced thyroid nodule segmentation through U-Net and VGG16 fusion with feature engineering: A comprehensive study. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2024; 251:108209. [PMID: 38723436 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2024.108209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The thyroid gland, a key component of the endocrine system, is pivotal in regulating bodily functions. Thermography, a non-invasive imaging technique utilizing infrared cameras, has emerged as a diagnostic tool for thyroid-related conditions, offering advantages such as early detection and risk stratification. Artificial intelligence (AI) has demonstrated success in medical diagnostics, and its integration into thermal imaging analysis holds promise for improving diagnostic capabilities. This study aims to explore the potential of AI, specifically convolutional neural networks (CNNs), in enhancing the analysis of thyroid thermograms for the detection of nodules and abnormalities. METHODS Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques are integrated to enhance thyroid thermal image analysis. Specifically, a fusion of U-Net and VGG16, combined with feature engineering (FE), is proposed for accurate thyroid nodule segmentation. The novelty of this research lies in leveraging feature engineering in transfer learning for the segmentation of thyroid nodules, even in the presence of a limited dataset. RESULTS The study presents results from four conducted studies, demonstrating the efficacy of this approach even with a limited dataset. It's observed that in study 4, using FE has led to a significant improvement in the value of the dice coefficient. Even for the small size of the masked region, incorporating radiomics with FE resulted in significant improvements in the segmentation dice coefficient. It's promising that one can achieve higher dice coefficients by employing different models and refining them. CONCLUSION The findings here underscore the potential of AI for precise and efficient segmentation of thyroid nodules, paving the way for improved thyroid health assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Etehadtavakol
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1985717443, Iran; Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Etehadtavakol
- Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81745-33871, Iran
| | - Eddie Y K Ng
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore.
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Kesztyüs D, Brucher S, Wilson C, Kesztyüs T. Use of Infrared Thermography in Medical Diagnosis, Screening, and Disease Monitoring: A Scoping Review. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:2139. [PMID: 38138242 PMCID: PMC10744680 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59122139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Thermography provides non-invasive, radiation-free diagnostic imaging. Despite the extensive literature on medical thermography, a comprehensive overview of current applications is lacking. Hence, the aim of this scoping review is to identify the medical applications of passive infrared thermography and to catalogue the technical and environmental modalities. The diagnostic performance of thermography and the existence of specific reference data are evaluated, and research gaps and future tasks identified. The entire review process followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) approach and the results are reported according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The scoping review protocol is registered at the Open Science Framework (OSF). PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, Web of Science, OpenGrey, OSF, and PROSPERO were searched using pretested search strategies based on the Population, Concept, Context (PCC) approach. According to the eligibility criteria, references were screened by two researchers independently. Seventy-two research articles were identified describing screening, diagnostic, or monitoring studies investigating the potential of thermography in a total of 17,314 participants within 38 different health conditions across 13 therapeutic areas. The use of several camera models from various manufacturers is described. These and other facts and figures are compiled and presented in a detailed, descriptive tabular and visual format. Thermography offers promising diagnostic capabilities, alone or in addition to conventional methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Kesztyüs
- Medical Data Integration Centre, Department of Medical Informatics, University Medical Centre, Georg-August University Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany; (C.W.); (T.K.)
| | - Sabrina Brucher
- Institute for Distance Learning, Technical University of Applied Sciences, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Carolyn Wilson
- Medical Data Integration Centre, Department of Medical Informatics, University Medical Centre, Georg-August University Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany; (C.W.); (T.K.)
| | - Tibor Kesztyüs
- Medical Data Integration Centre, Department of Medical Informatics, University Medical Centre, Georg-August University Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany; (C.W.); (T.K.)
- Institute for Distance Learning, Technical University of Applied Sciences, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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Torres-Nunes L, Paineiras-Domingos LL, Batouli-Santos D, Coelho-Oliveira AC, Melo-Oliveira MEDS, Seixas A, Sá-Caputo DDC, Bernardo-Filho M. Effects of whole-body vibration exercise on sleep disorders, body composition and clinical parameters in down syndrome children: A study protocol for a randomized cross-over trial. JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES : JOID 2023:17446295231171197. [PMID: 37114886 DOI: 10.1177/17446295231171197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Down-syndrome (DS) the most common genetic disorder worldwide. Whole-body-vibration-exercise (WBVE) has been recommended for individuals with DS. To verify the efficacy of WBVE on sleep disorders, body-composition (BC) and clinical parameters of children with DS. It is a randomized cross-over-trial. Children with DS, 5-12 years, both-genders will be selected. The sleep disorders will be evaluated by the "Infant sleep questionnaire Reimão and Lefevre" and by the "Sleep disturbance scale in children". The BC will be measure by bioimpedance and the skin temperature using infrared-thermography. WBVE will be performed seating in an ancillary-chair or sitting on the base of the vibrating platform, with 2.5 mm, 5Hz. Each session (5 series, 30-seconds on vibration, 1-minute of rest). It is expected improvement responses on sleep, BC and some clinical parameters. It is expected that this WBVE protocol will bring important clinical contributions for children with DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Torres-Nunes
- Laboratório de Vibrações Mecânicas e Práticas Integrativas, Departamento de Biofísica e Biometria, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes and Policlínica Piquet Carneiro, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Fisiopatologia Clínica e Experimental, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Laisa Liane Paineiras-Domingos
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Instituto Multidisciplinar de Reabilitação e Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Daniel Batouli-Santos
- Laboratório de Vibrações Mecânicas e Práticas Integrativas, Departamento de Biofísica e Biometria, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes and Policlínica Piquet Carneiro, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Fisiopatologia Clínica e Experimental, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Coelho-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Vibrações Mecânicas e Práticas Integrativas, Departamento de Biofísica e Biometria, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes and Policlínica Piquet Carneiro, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Fisiopatologia Clínica e Experimental, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Eduarda de Souza Melo-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Vibrações Mecânicas e Práticas Integrativas, Departamento de Biofísica e Biometria, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes and Policlínica Piquet Carneiro, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Mestrado Profissional em Saúde, Medicina Laboratorial e Tecnologia Forense, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de janeiro, Brazil
| | - Adérito Seixas
- Escola Superior de Saude, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal
| | - Danúbia da Cunha Sá-Caputo
- Laboratório de Vibrações Mecânicas e Práticas Integrativas, Departamento de Biofísica e Biometria, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes and Policlínica Piquet Carneiro, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mario Bernardo-Filho
- Laboratório de Vibrações Mecânicas e Práticas Integrativas, Departamento de Biofísica e Biometria, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes and Policlínica Piquet Carneiro, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Thermography as a Non-Ionizing Quantitative Tool for Diagnosing Burning Mouth Syndrome: Case-Control Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19158903. [PMID: 35897273 PMCID: PMC9329975 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19158903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: Thermography is an imaging technique based on the acquisition and analysis of thermal data. The present study evaluates the use of tongue infrared thermography (IRT) as a tool for the diagnosis of burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Material and methods: An IRT study was carried out in patients diagnosed with BMS according to the criteria of the International Association for the Study of Pain (n = 32) and in healthy controls (n = 35). Burning sensations, dry mouth and taste disturbances were assessed, and three temperature values were recorded for each tongue surface (dorsal, right lateral, left lateral and tip), along with body temperature and environmental temperature. Results: A statistically significant difference was recorded in the temperature of the dorsal surface of the tongue between the BMS group and the controls (p = 0.01). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.731 (95% CI: 0.402–0.657; p = 0.003). The sensitivity and specificity obtained was 62% and 77%, respectively. Conclusions: Infrared thermography appears to be useful as a complementary tool for the diagnosis of BMS, though further studies are needed in this field.
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Kondziołka J, Wilczyński S, Michalecki Ł. Potential Use of Novel Image and Signal Processing Methods to Develop a Quantitative Assessment of the Severity of Acute Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer Radiotherapy. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2022; 15:725-733. [PMID: 35497689 PMCID: PMC9041143 DOI: 10.2147/ccid.s354320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
More than 95% of patients who undergo radiotherapy report symptoms of radiation dermatitis, which is a side effect of this therapy. Erythema, edema, dry and moist desquamation intensify with each fraction of irradiation and can significantly reduce a patient's quality of life. Therefore, an effective skin care procedure is needed for skin that has been exposed to ionizing radiation in order to avoid unplanned treatment interruptions. The methods that are currently used to assess the severity of an acute radiation reaction are based on visual scales (RTOG, EORTC, NCI CTCAE, LENT-SOMA). Because the assessment is made subjectively, the results depend on the researchers, their experience and perceptiveness. Until now, several studies have been carried out to check the possibility of using an objective methods like hyperspectral imaging, thermal imaging, laser Doppler flowmetry, dielectric and electrochemical methods, reflection spectrophotometry and Courage-Khazaka Multi-skin instrument to radiation-induced dermatitis assessment. Unfortunately, due to various limitations that occurred in the research, none of these techniques was successfully implement as alternative for visual assessment. The continuous development of technology enables researchers to access new techniques that might constitute useful diagnostic and cognitive tools. Infrared thermal imaging, hyperspectral imaging and reflectance spectroscopy are examples of the visual techniques that have been used for many years in various fields of medicine, including dermatology and chronic wound or burn care. They provide information on the skin parameters, such as the temperature, concentration and distribution of chromophores (eg, hemoglobin and melanin), saturation or perfusion changes. The aim of this study is to review the available literature on the use of imaging methods in the clinical assessment of skin with lesions of various origins, evaluation of their suitability for the assessment of radiation reaction and consideration the possibility of creating a quantitative scale for assessing severity of acute radiation dermatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kondziołka
- Department of Basic Biomedical Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Sławomir Wilczyński
- Department of Basic Biomedical Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Łukasz Michalecki
- University Clinical Center of the Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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