The Value of Fractal Analysis in Ultrasound Imaging: Exploring Intricate Patterns
Fractal analysis is a mathematical approach employed to study and describe complex patterns and structures across various disciplines, including mathematics, physics, computer science, biology and finance. Introduced by mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot in the 1970s, fractals are intricate, self-simil...
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MDPI AG
2024-10-01
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| author | Carmelo Pirri Nina Pirri Veronica Macchi Diego Guidolin Andrea Porzionato Raffaele De Caro Carla Stecco |
| author_facet | Carmelo Pirri Nina Pirri Veronica Macchi Diego Guidolin Andrea Porzionato Raffaele De Caro Carla Stecco |
| author_sort | Carmelo Pirri |
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| description | Fractal analysis is a mathematical approach employed to study and describe complex patterns and structures across various disciplines, including mathematics, physics, computer science, biology and finance. Introduced by mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot in the 1970s, fractals are intricate, self-similar patterns that repeat at different scales, exhibiting consistent structures upon magnification or reduction. This analysis involves generating fractals through iterative processes or recursive equations, resulting in highly detailed and complex formations. Fractal analysis enhances medical images by removing noise while preserving details and improving diagnostic quality in magnetic resonance and computed tomography scans. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on its application in ultrasound imaging, prompting this narrative review to investigate its use and methodology in this context. Selected papers on the use of fractal analysis in ultrasound imaging were analyzed. Out of 186 records screened, 60 duplicates were removed and 28 were discarded. The text content of 98 potentially eligible papers was checked, with 65 not meeting inclusion criteria. Finally, 33 studies were included in the review. Fractal analysis enhances ultrasound imaging by providing detailed tissue texture characterization, aiding in the diagnosis of conditions like breast and lung cancer, osteoporosis and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. It quantifies biological structure complexity and improves diagnostic accuracy and reliability. This technique supports clinicians in making informed decisions by offering critical insights into various medical conditions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-905bd4c81b3d4d61a23de7aa206d22e0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-905bd4c81b3d4d61a23de7aa206d22e02024-11-08T14:33:14ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-10-011421975010.3390/app14219750The Value of Fractal Analysis in Ultrasound Imaging: Exploring Intricate PatternsCarmelo Pirri0Nina Pirri1Veronica Macchi2Diego Guidolin3Andrea Porzionato4Raffaele De Caro5Carla Stecco6Department of Neurosciences, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Medicine—DIMED, School of Radiology, Radiology Institute, University of Padua, 35122 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, ItalyFractal analysis is a mathematical approach employed to study and describe complex patterns and structures across various disciplines, including mathematics, physics, computer science, biology and finance. Introduced by mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot in the 1970s, fractals are intricate, self-similar patterns that repeat at different scales, exhibiting consistent structures upon magnification or reduction. This analysis involves generating fractals through iterative processes or recursive equations, resulting in highly detailed and complex formations. Fractal analysis enhances medical images by removing noise while preserving details and improving diagnostic quality in magnetic resonance and computed tomography scans. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on its application in ultrasound imaging, prompting this narrative review to investigate its use and methodology in this context. Selected papers on the use of fractal analysis in ultrasound imaging were analyzed. Out of 186 records screened, 60 duplicates were removed and 28 were discarded. The text content of 98 potentially eligible papers was checked, with 65 not meeting inclusion criteria. Finally, 33 studies were included in the review. Fractal analysis enhances ultrasound imaging by providing detailed tissue texture characterization, aiding in the diagnosis of conditions like breast and lung cancer, osteoporosis and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. It quantifies biological structure complexity and improves diagnostic accuracy and reliability. This technique supports clinicians in making informed decisions by offering critical insights into various medical conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/21/9750fractal analysisultrasound imagingultrasonographytexture analysisfractal dimensionlacunarity |
| spellingShingle | Carmelo Pirri Nina Pirri Veronica Macchi Diego Guidolin Andrea Porzionato Raffaele De Caro Carla Stecco The Value of Fractal Analysis in Ultrasound Imaging: Exploring Intricate Patterns Applied Sciences fractal analysis ultrasound imaging ultrasonography texture analysis fractal dimension lacunarity |
| title | The Value of Fractal Analysis in Ultrasound Imaging: Exploring Intricate Patterns |
| title_full | The Value of Fractal Analysis in Ultrasound Imaging: Exploring Intricate Patterns |
| title_fullStr | The Value of Fractal Analysis in Ultrasound Imaging: Exploring Intricate Patterns |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Value of Fractal Analysis in Ultrasound Imaging: Exploring Intricate Patterns |
| title_short | The Value of Fractal Analysis in Ultrasound Imaging: Exploring Intricate Patterns |
| title_sort | value of fractal analysis in ultrasound imaging exploring intricate patterns |
| topic | fractal analysis ultrasound imaging ultrasonography texture analysis fractal dimension lacunarity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/21/9750 |
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