Quantitative analysis of rib kinematics based on dynamic chest bone images: preliminary results

Abstract

An image-processing technique for separating bones from soft tissue in static chest radiographs has been developed. The present study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of dynamic bone images in quantitative analysis of rib movement. Dynamic chest radiographs of 16 patients were obtained using a dynamic flat-panel detector and processed to create bone images by using commercial software (Clear Read BS, Riverain Technologies). Velocity vectors were measured in local areas on the dynamic images, which formed a map. The velocity maps obtained with bone and original images for scoliosis and normal cases were compared to assess the advantages of bone images. With dynamic bone images, we were able to quantify and distinguish movements of ribs from those of other lung structures accurately. Limited rib movements of scoliosis patients appeared as a reduced rib velocity field, resulting in an asymmetrical distribution of rib movement. Vector maps in all normal cases exhibited left/right symmetric distributions of the velocity field, whereas those in abnormal cases showed asymmetric distributions because of locally limited rib movements. Dynamic bone images were useful for accurate quantitative analysis of rib movements. The present method has a potential for an additional functional examination in chest radiography.

Dynamic Chest X-Ray Using a Flat-Panel Detector System: Technique and Applications

“…These techniques include image registration for correction of physical motion ( 43 44 ), bone suppression ( 45 46 47 48 49 50 ), automatic recognition of the lung area ( 51 52 ), and motion tracking ( 53 54 55 56 ). In addition, some of the software and techniques previously developed for conventional chest radiography, digital fluoroscopy, and digital subtraction angiography ( 2 57 58 ) can also be utilized for DXR assessments. For example, the bone suppression software developed for conventional chest radiography can be used for DXR.…”

“…Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) schemes are essential for interpretation of DXR findings because DXR includes information that is difficult to interpret only by visual evaluation. Analyses of the chest wall, such as rib kinematics, may add further diagnostic value to DXR ( 58 ). Sophisticated color maps or other ways to make the abnormality recognizable at a glance using CAD will facilitate clinical evaluations by radiologists and clinicians ( 74 ).…”

Dynamic chest radiography: a state-of-the-art review

“…To our knowledge, only two studies have compared healthy individuals to those with respiratory disease [ 16 , 20 ], although no detailed case matching was undertaken. One study tracked rib motion during respiratory manoeuvres [ 15 ]. To our knowledge, this has not been applied to a large number of normal individuals, or in the identification of specific pathology with reference to other thoracic cage motion imaging techniques such as structured light plethysmography [ 40 ].…”

Immediate effects on cervical mobility and spiratory flow, after bilateral manipulation of first rib, in non-specific chronic neck pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…[10] From the point of view of thoracic mobility, Tanaka R. et al studied the quantitative analysis of rib kinematics through dynamic chest bone images, and they found that bone fractures and vertebral deformities limit respiratory function because of reduction of ribs mobility, what leads to a decrease in vital capacity. Thus, this fact explain the in uence of thoracic mobility in pulmonary function and vital capacity [18]. Abnormal movement of rib and chest wall is very common among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.…”