Image processing and parameter extraction of digital panoramic dental X-rays with ImageJ

Cysts and tumors of maxillofacial region are a major issue of concern for health care providers. Management of these lesions is predominantly bogged by recurrence. Accurate diagnosis of the lesions in early stages has a positive effect on both management and prognosis of the disease. Cystic lesions if not treated early may lead to tumors. Cysts affecting jawbone can be detected by radiographic examination using panoramic radiographs/ orthopantomograms (OPG). This paper presents Histogram based preprocessing techniques for OPG images to visualize cystic region and consequently estimating the shape and image parameters using ImageJ. The shape parameters described for the cystic region are area, perimeter, circularity, solidity and roundness. The image parameters such as mean and modal gray value of intensities, standard deviation minimum and maximum pixel intensities, aspect ratio for cystic region has been evaluated using ImageJ.