The aim and objectives of this study were as follows: (i) to perform automated segmentation of knee thermal image using the regional isotherm-based segmentation (RIBS) algorithm and segmentation of ultrasound image using the image J software; (ii) to implement the RIBS algorithm using computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) tools for classification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and normal subjects based on feature extraction values; and (iii) to correlate the extracted thermal imaging features and colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) features in the knee region with the biochemical parameters in RA patients. Thermal image analysis based on skin temperature measurement and thermal image segmentation was performed using the RIBS algorithm in the knee region of RA patients and controls. There was an increase in the average skin temperature of 5.94% observed in RA patients compared to normal. CDUS parameters such as perfusion, effusion and colour fraction for the RA patients were found to be 1.2 ± 0.5, 1.8 ± 0.2 and 0.052 ± 0.002, respectively. CDUS measurements were performed and analysed using the image J software. Biochemical parameters such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) showed significant positive correlation with the thermal imaging parameters. The CDUS parameters such as effusion, perfusion and colour fraction correlated significantly with the clinical and functional assessment score. According to the results of this study, both infrared (IR) thermal imaging and CDUS offer better diagnostic potential in detecting early-stage RA. Therefore, the developed CAD model using thermal imaging could be used as a pre-screening tool to diagnose RA in the knee region.

中文翻译：

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热成像和彩色多普勒超声：评估膝部类风湿性关节炎的潜在辅助诊断工具。

这项研究的目的和目标如下：（i）使用基于区域等温线的分割（RIBS）算法执行膝盖热图像的自动分割，并使用image J软件进行超声图像的分割；（ii）使用计算机辅助诊断（CAD）工具实施RIBS算法，以基于特征提取值对类风湿关节炎（RA）患者和正常受试者进行分类；（iii）将所提取的膝盖区域的热成像特征和彩色多普勒超声（CDUS）特征与RA患者的生化参数相关联。使用RIBS算法在RA患者和对照的膝部区域进行了基于皮肤温度测量和热图像分割的热图像分析。平均皮肤温度升高了5。与正常人相比，RA患者中观察到94％。发现RA患者的CDUS参数（如灌注，渗出和颜色分数）分别为1.2±0.5、1.8±0.2和0.052±0.002。使用image J软件进行CDUS测量并进行分析。生化参数如红细胞沉降率（ESR）和C反应蛋白（CRP）与热成像参数显示出显着正相关。CDUS参数（例如积液，灌注和颜色分数）与临床和功能评估分数显着相关。根据这项研究的结果，红外（IR）热成像和CDUS在检测早期RA方面都具有更好的诊断潜力。因此，