A computer assisted method for the quantification and classification of mammographic parenchymal patterns (MPP) is proposed. Enhancement of mammographic images is performed using order statistic filtering, a superior method compared to median filtering techniques previously reported. Two complementary methods are proposed for quantification and classification of MPP, a local thresholding technique and an edge detection method, respectively. The latter method is based on non-linear filtering which uses order statistics or linear combination of order statistics filter specifically tailored to identify the boundaries and fine details of MPP. The edge detection method proved to be useful for the difficult differentiation of Wolfe's P2 and DY MPP that have similar breast density and common characteristics. The results suggest that the methods proposed are potentially useful for identification and quantitation of MPPs as required for mass screening of breast cancer.

Date Published: 1 June 1992
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 1652, Medical Imaging VI: Image Processing, (1 June 1992); doi: 10.1117/12.59476

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1652:
Medical Imaging VI: Image Processing
Murray H. Loew, Editor(s)