Image recognition and neuronal networks: intelligent systems for the improvement of imaging information

Intelligent computerised systems can provide useful assistance to the physician in the rapid identification of tissue abnormalities and accurate diagnosis in real-time. This paper reviews basic issues in medical imaging and neural network-based systems for medical image interpretation. In the framework of intelligent systems, a simple scheme that has been implemented is presented as an example of the use of intelligent systems to discriminate between normal and cancerous regions in colonoscopic images. Preliminary results indicate that this scheme is capable of high accuracy detection of abnormalities within the image. It can also be successfully applied to different types of images, to detect abnormalities that belong to different cancer types.