Learning-based aorta segmentation using an adaptive detach and merge algorithm

Abstract

Systems and methods for segmenting a structure of interest in medical imaging data include generating a binary mask highlighting structures in medical imaging data, the highlighted structures comprising a connected component including a structure of interest. A probability map is computed by classifying voxels in the highlighted structures using a trained classifier. A plurality of detaching operations is performed on the highlighted structures to split the connected component into a plurality of detached connected components. An optimal detaching parameter is determined representing a number of the detaching operations. A detached connected component resulting from performing the number of detaching operations corresponding to the optimal detaching parameter is classified as the structure of interest based on the probability map and the trained classifier.