Echogenicity based approach to detect, segment and track the common carotid artery in 2D ultrasound images.

Automatic detection and segmentation of the common carotid artery in transverse ultrasound (US) images of the thyroid gland play a vital role in the success of US guided intervention procedures. We propose in this paper a novel method to accurately detect, segment and track the carotid in 2D and 2D+t US images of the thyroid gland using concepts based on tissue echogenicity and ultrasound image formation. We first segment the hypoechoic anatomical regions of interest using local phase and energy in the input image.

Speckle Patch Similarity for Echogenicity-Based Multiorgan Segmentation in Ultrasound Images of the Thyroid Gland.

Ultrasound (US) imaging deals with forming a brightness image from the amplified backscatter echo when an ultrasound wave is triggered at the region of interest. Imaging artifacts and speckles occur in the image as a consequence of backscattering and subsequent amplification. We demonstrate the usefulness of speckle-related pixels and imaging artifacts as sources of information to perform multiorgan segmentation in US images of the thyroid gland.

Automatic removal of manually induced artefacts in ultrasound images of thyroid gland.

Manually induced artefacts, like caliper marks and anatomical labels, render an ultrasound (US) image incapable of being subjected to further processes of Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD). In this paper, we propose a technique to remove these artefacts and restore the image as accurately as possible. The technique finds application as a pre-processing step when developing unsupervised segmentation algorithms for US images that deal with automatic estimation of the number of segments and clustering.

Patient and provider delays in breast cancer patients attending a tertiary care centre: a prospective study.

Objectives: To find out factors that are responsible for the patient or provider delays in the diagnosis of breast cancer in India.

Design: This prospective study was designed to be conducted over a period of two years including a cohort of 100 patients with locally advanced breast cancer. The delays were assessed using questionnaires prepared according to the Indian scenario.

The correlation of anxiety and depression levels with response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer.

Background: The aim was to evaluate and correlate anxiety and depression levels with response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer. The study also assessed the effects of family support on distress levels.

Design: It was a prospective study in a cohort of 84 patients with locally advanced breast cancer.

Vulval elephantiasis as a result of tubercular lymphadenitis: two case reports and a review of the literature.

Introduction: Elephantiasis as a result of chronic lymphedema is characterized by gross enlargement of the arms, legs or genitalia, and occurs due to a variety of obstructive diseases of the lymphatic system. Genital elephantiasis usually follows common filariasis and lymphogranuloma venereum. It may follow granuloma inguinale, carcinomas, lymph node dissection or irradiation and tuberculosis but this happens rarely.