3D image analysis of lung area using thin slice CT images

The lung area has very complicated structure which consists of the bronchus, the pulmonary artery, and the pulmonary vein. So it is difficult for even a medical doctor to understand the spatial relationships between the tumor, the bronchus, and the blood vessels. Here the authors present a 3D image analysis method for lung areas using thin slice CT images, and they apply this system to the differential diagnosis of malignant and benign tumors. This system involves two steps. The first step is the analysis of the structure of the lung area, and the second step is the visualization of classified pulmonary organs for quantitative analysis.