Speckle noise reduction in ultrasound images using a discrete wavelet transform-based image fusion technique

• Published in: Bio-medical materials and engineering Vol. 26; no. 1_suppl; pp. S1587 - S1597
• Main Authors: Choi, Hyun Ho, Lee, Ju Hwan, Kim, Sung Min, Park, Sung Yun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Algorithms; Cysts - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Image Enhancement - methods; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Pattern Recognition, Automated - methods; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; Signal-To-Noise Ratio; Subtraction Technique; Ultrasonography - methods; Wavelet Analysis; discrete wavelet transform; speckle noise; SRAD; Ultrasound imaging; image fusion
• ISSN: 0959-2989; 1878-3619; 1878-3619
• DOI: 10.3233/BME-151458

Abstract Here, the speckle noise in ultrasonic images is removed using an image fusion-based denoising method. To optimize the denoising performance, each discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and filtering technique was analyzed and compared. In addition, the performances were compared in order to derive the optimal input conditions. To evaluate the speckle noise removal performance, an image fusion algorithm was applied to the ultrasound images, and comparatively analyzed with the original image without the algorithm. As a result, applying DWT and filtering techniques caused information loss and noise characteristics, and did not represent the most significant noise reduction performance. Conversely, an image fusion method applying SRAD-original conditions preserved the key information in the original image, and the speckle noise was removed. Based on such characteristics, the input conditions of SRAD-original had the best denoising performance with the ultrasound images. From this study, the best denoising technique proposed based on the results was confirmed to have a high potential for clinical application.