Prostate Boundary Detection and Visualization in TRUS Images

Ultrasound imaging has been used extensively in various medical specialities. Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) imaging is a valuable tool in analyzing the boundary of the prostate, the internal structure of the prostate and guiding the seed insertion during prostate brachytherapy surgery. Boundary determination of the prostate in the TRUS images is difficult due to noise inherent in ultrasound signals. Consequently, the prostate boundary is usually not well defined and often discontinuous. Even among the experts there likely exist variances in reading as to the exact location of the prostate borders. Currently, prostate boundary determination is very time consuming as it is performed manually.