A Hybrid Thinning Algorithm for 3D Medical Images

Abstract

Thinning is a frequently used method for extracting skeletons in discrete spaces. This paper presents an efficient parallel algorithm for thinning elongated 3D binary objects (e.g., bony structures, vessel trees, or airway trees). The proposed algorithm directly extracts medial lines as shape features from 3D binary objects by applying a brand- new class of thinning strategy called hybrid method. Our topology preserving algorithm makes easy implementation possible and gives satisfactory results for synthetic data tests and for MR angiography brain studies.