A method of image enhancement and fractal dimension for detection of microcalcifications in mammogram

Some research related to the digital image processing and analysis of mammograms have been conducted to solve the problems in interpreting mammograms. In X-ray film-screen mammography, the contrast between benign and malignant cancer is not so distinct. This study was performed to help radiologists with interpreting mammograms by providing fractal dimensions of three types of data. Raw data of the 90 patients (30 for each group: 'mass', 'mass and microcalcifications', and 'microcalcifications' groups) were obtained in conditions of 0.1 mm resolution, 12 bit gray scale images. The image enhancement was performed and the fractal dimensions were extracted to represent the roughness and the irregularity of the images. The mass showed a smooth shape. However, microcalcification symptoms had more rough figures. In conclusion, the calculation of the fractal dimension could improve the early detection of breast cancer. The fractal dimension could be applied for the diagnosis of breast cancer.