Improved detection method for carotid artery calcification in dental panoramic radiographs considering local features

In this paper, we propose an improvement of an automatic detection method for carotid artery calcification in dental panoramic radiographs based on local features. To reduce misdetections for the candidate region of the calcification, the proposed method is focused on the estimated shape of the calcification. Machine learning is also applied to distinguish the misdetections. A new removal method for the mandibular bone and the area below mandible is also proposed. The proposed method can reduce the misdetection of the carotid artery calcification. The experimental result shows that the improvement of the detection performance is obtained.