- Category: Magazine2025Volume3
- Written by: karina
- Hits: 17
FROM DATA TO DIAGNOSIS: INTELLIGENT MEDICAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN BREAST IMAGING - Sotir Sotirov, Krasimir Kralev, Dimka Shivacheva
Abstract:
Early diagnosis of breast cancer remains one of the most critical factors for a successful
treatment outcome, with mammography continuing to be the "gold standard" for screening.
However, the visual analysis of mammographic images is a complex process prone to subjective
errors and radiologist fatigue. This study explores the integration of Deep Learning methods to
automate the diagnostic process and enhance accuracy in pathology detection. The primary
objective is to create a clinical decision support model that acts as a "second opinion," classifying
early-stage anomalies using the annotated CBIS-DDSM dataset.
The research methodology involves constructing a specialized data preprocessing pipeline that
transforms raw DICOM images into 16-bit PNG format, preserving the informational depth
necessary for precise analysis. A binary classification strategy (masses vs. calcifications) was
applied using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with a ResNet-101 architecture and transfer
learning. A custom data splitting scheme (80% training, 10% validation, 10% testing) was
introduced, allowing for stricter control over the training process and the prevention of overfitting.
The results demonstrate that combining proper preprocessing (cropping methods to isolate
significant visual information and normalization) with powerful computer vision architectures leads
to the creation of a robust model suitable for recognizing image variations. The developed system
does not aim to replace the physician but to optimize the clinical workflow by filtering and
categorizing potential lesions with high accuracy. This research highlights the potential of
bioinformatics to transform massive medical data into clear diagnostic indicators, reducing
analysis time and the risk of missing microscopic anomalies.
Keywords: intelligent systems, neural networks, recognition, diagnosis, mammography
Download the full article here: Download 2016
