Template Matching Method for Vertebra Region Selection

Efficient content-based image retrieval of biomedical images is a challenging problem of growing research interest. This paper describes how X-ray images of the spinal columns are analysed in order to extract each vertebra region. We aim at developing a computer vision tool able to determine a global polygonal region for each vertebra. This is an essential first pre-processing and image segmentation step used for efficient contour vertebra detection. We suggest an application of the proposed method which consists on an evaluation of vertebrae motion induced by their movement between two or several positions

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