MODEL−BASED ENHANCEMENT OF MAMMOGRAPHIC IMAGES

Abstract

We investigate model-based image enhancement of mammographic images and demonstrate the dangers of ad-hoc image enhancement and analysis. A model of the mammographic process, including degrading factors and the breast is developed. The breast is considered to consist mainly of "interesting tissue" (glandularI fibrous/cancerous) and fat. Knowledge of both the compressed breast thickness and exposure are necessary for the mammography-specific algorithms developed. It is the degrading factors which are the basis for model-based image enhancement.