Method for characterizing shapes in medical images

A computer-implemented method for characterizing a lung nodule in medical images, comprising:

• a) obtaining a candidate lung nodule;
• b) computing a visible surface adjacent to said candidate lung nodule, wherein said visible surface comprises one or more portions of said medical image that are visible by said candidate lung nodule;
• c) computing one or more parameters of said visible surface;
• and
• d) depending on values of said one or more parameters, determining whether said candidate lung nodule is a true lung nodule.

A computer-implemented method for characterizing a colonic polyp in medical images, comprising:

• a) obtaining a candidate colonic polyp;
• b) computing a visible surface adjacent to said candidate colonic polyp, wherein said visible surface comprises one or more portions of said medical image that are visible by said candidate colonic polyp;
• c) computing one or more parameters of said visible surface;
• and
• d) depending on values of said one or more parameters, determining whether said candidate colonic polyp is a true colonic polyp.