Automatic Classification of Pneumonia Based on Ensemble Deep Learning Model Using Intensity Normalization and Multiscale Lung-Focused Patches on Chest X-Ray Images

Yoon Jo Kim, Jinseo An, Helen Hong

http://doi.org/10.5626/JOK.2022.49.9.677

It is difficult to classify normal and pneumonia in pediatric chest X-ray (CXR) images due to irregular intensity values. In addition, deep learning model has a limitation in that it can misclassify CXR by incorrectly focusing on the outer part of the lung. This study proposed an automatic classification of pneumonia based on ensemble deep learning model using three intensity normalizations and multiscale lung-focused patches on CXR images. First, to correct for irregular intensity values in internal lungs, three intensity normalization methods were performed respectively. Second, to focus on internal lungs, regions of interest were extracted by segmenting lung regions. Third, multiscale lung-focused patches were extracted to train the characterization of pneumonia. Finally, ensemble modeling with attention module was performed to improve the classification performance. In the experiment, the method using large patches of CLAHE images showed an accuracy of 92%, which was 5% higher than that of original images. Furthermore, the proposed method using an ensemble of large and middle patches showed the best performance with an accuracy of 93%.