Refining neural network algorithms for accurate brain tumor classification in MRI imagery

Alshuhail, Asma; Thakur, Arastu; Chandramma, R; Mahesh, T R; Almusharraf, Ahlam; Vinoth Kumar, V; Khan, Surbhi Bhatia

Abstract

Brain tumor diagnosis using MRI scans poses significant challenges due to the complex nature of tumor appearances and variations. Traditional methods often require extensive manual intervention and are prone to human error, leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Current approaches primarily include manual examination by radiologists and conventional machine learning techniques. These methods rely heavily on feature extraction and classification algorithms, which may not capture the intricate patterns present in brain MRI images. Conventional techniques often suffer from limited accuracy and generalizability, mainly due to the high variability in tumor appearance and the subjective nature of manual interpretation. Additionally, traditional machine learning models may struggle with the high-dimensional data inherent in MRI images. To address these limitations, our research introduces a deep learning-based model utilizing convolutional neural networks (CNNs).Our model employs a sequential CNN architecture with multiple convolutional, max-pooling, and dropout layers, followed by dense layers for classification. The proposed model demonstrates a significant improvement in diagnostic accuracy, achieving an overall accuracy of 98% on the test dataset. The proposed model demonstrates a significant improvement in diagnostic accuracy, achieving an overall accuracy of 98% on the test dataset. The precision, recall, and F1-scores ranging from 97 to 98% with a roc-auc ranging from 99 to 100% for each tumor category further substantiate the model’s effectiveness. Additionally, the utilization of Grad-CAM visualizations provides insights into the model’s decision-making process, enhancing interpretability. This research addresses the pressing need for enhanced diagnostic accuracy in identifying brain tumors through MRI imaging, tackling challenges such as variability in tumor appearance and the need for rapid, reliable diagnostic tools.

Citation

Alshuhail, A., Thakur, A., Chandramma, R., Mahesh, T. R., Almusharraf, A., Vinoth Kumar, V., & Khan, S. B. (in press). Refining neural network algorithms for accurate brain tumor classification in MRI imagery. BMC Medical Imaging, 24(1), 118. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12880-024-01285-6

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 29, 2024
• Online Publication Date: May 21, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jun 10, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 10, 2024
• Journal: BMC Medical Imaging
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 118
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12880-024-01285-6
• Keywords: Convolutional neural networks, Brain tumor detection, Machine learning, MRI images, Grad-CAM visualization, Dataset analysis, Medical imaging, Image classification, Deep learning