Combining snake-based and intensity-based processing for segmentation of renal structure in lower-torso CT data

We introduce a new method that allows the kidney to be extracted (i.e., segmented) from lower torso computerized tomography (CT) datasets. The method combines active contour (snake)-, intensity-, and shape-based processing to extract the kidney. Initially, a general-purpose coarse mathematical shape model of the kidney is extracted by the method. This coarse segmentation is then refined by snake-based deformation.