A NOVEL ITERATIVE MATCHING SCHEME BASED ON HOMOGRAPHY METHOD FOR X-RAY IMAGE

Abstract

Purpose anterior cervical decompression and fusion is a common surgical procedure. Traditionally, experienced doctors observe X-ray films regularly examined by patients to determine postoperative conditions by observing the tiny movements between the limited vertebral bodies. But it is not accurate. This may lead to error diagnostics and serious deterioration of the condition and secondary injury to the patient and will also put a greater financial burden on them. Doctors need a quantitative standard to determine small motion with limited vertebral landmarks after surgery. Computer vision technology is needed to match the over-extension and over-flexion cervical vertebral body to provide objective measurement data for further quantification of intervertebral activity. Based on conventional scheme, the point mean square error is used as the evaluation criterion of the matching effect, and the iterative matching scheme is proposed to improve the stability of the original scheme. The cervical X-ray films of patients from the China–Japan Friendship Hospital were collected as samples to verify the reliability of the scheme. Compared with the existing image matching schemes based on feature points, our scheme is superior in matching effect, matching speed and stability. This scheme can provide a solid foundation for further assisting doctors in the study of rehabilitation after anterior cervical fusion.