Research Article Open Access

Segmentation of Medical Image using Clustering and Watershed Algorithms

M.C. Jobin Christ1 and R.M.S. Parvathi2
  • 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Adhiyamaan College of Engineering, MGR Nagar, Hosur, India
  • 2 Sengunthar College of Engineering, Tiruchengode, India

Abstract

Problem statement: Segmentation plays an important role in medical imaging. Segmentation of an image is the division or separation of the image into dissimilar regions of similar attribute. In this study we proposed a methodology that integrates clustering algorithm and marker controlled watershed segmentation algorithm for medical image segmentation. The use of the conservative watershed algorithm for medical image analysis is pervasive because of its advantages, such as always being able to construct an entire division of the image. On the other hand, its disadvantages include over segmentation and sensitivity to false edges. Approach: In this study we proposed a methodology that integrates K-Means clustering with marker controlled watershed segmentation algorithm and integrates Fuzzy C-Means clustering with marker controlled watershed segmentation algorithm separately for medical image segmentation. The Clustering algorithms are unsupervised learning algorithms, while the marker controlled watershed segmentation algorithm makes use of automated thresholding on the gradient magnitude map and post-segmentation merging on the initial partitions to reduce the number of false edges and over-segmentation. Results: In this study, we compared K-means clustering and marker controlled watershed algorithm with Fuzzy C-means clustering and marker controlled watershed algorithm. And also we showed that our proposed method produced segmentation maps which gave fewer partitions than the segmentation maps produced by the conservative watershed algorithm. Conclusion: Integration of K-means clustering with marker controlled watershed algorithm gave better segmentation than integration of Fuzzy C-means clustering with marker controlled watershed algorithm. By reducing the amount of over segmentation, we obtained a segmentation map which is more diplomats of the several anatomies in the medical images.

American Journal of Applied Sciences
Volume 8 No. 12, 2011, 1349-1352

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2011.1349.1352

Submitted On: 5 August 2011 Published On: 22 October 2011

How to Cite: Christ, M. J. & Parvathi, R. (2011). Segmentation of Medical Image using Clustering and Watershed Algorithms. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 8(12), 1349-1352. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2011.1349.1352

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Keywords

  • Clustering
  • segmentation
  • medical image