Detecting Pneumonia – Chest X-Ray Images

The project uses transfer learning from a pre-trained DensNet201 network to classify chest X-ray images into one of three classes- normal, bacteria, or virus. In a DenseNet, we use dense connections between layers, using Dense Blocks, where each layer (with identical feature maps) directly connects with each other through dense connections.

On the left panel of the chest X-ray (normal), the lungs appear clear with no abnormal opacification. A bacterial pneumonia (middle) is typically characterized by a focal consolidation, in this case in the right upper lobe (white arrow), whereas a viral pneumonia (right) shows a diffuse, ”interstitial” pattern throughout both lungs.

Tensorleap helps to explore the latent space of a dataset and find new and important insights. It can also be used to find unlabeled clusters or miss-labeling in the dataset in the most efficient way.

Initially, we approached the problem as a binary classification problem, with 1583 images in the “normal” class and 4017 images in the “phenomena” class, resulting in imbalanced data. We attempted to utilize a pre-trained YOLOv8 model without further training. When examining the latent space, it becomes apparent that the model displayed clear indications of overfitting. Each dot in the latents pace represents a sample. In this case, the color and the size of the dot represents the loss value; the bigger and darker the point, the larger the loss. Upon examining the subset of samples belonging to the “PNEUMONIA” class, it became evident that the model consistently made correct predictions. However, when focusing on the subset of samples from the “NORMAL” class, the model consistently produced incorrect predictions

Subsequently, we explored the development of a relatively straightforward CNN network. It is apparent that the network learned, albeit not effectively. Tensorleap heatmaps demonstrate showed lack of correct and pertinent feature learning, indicating a relatively inaccurate network performance.

At this point, we decided to change the problem to multiple classes, including “normal”, “bacteria”, and “virus” categories. This adjustment was made to achieve a more balanced dataset. Moreover, the distinction between “bacteria” and “normal” appears to be less complex than that between “virus” and “normal,” or “virus” and “bacteria.” Therefore, there’s a possibility that the model’s performance will improve under these new conditions. Additionally, we made the decision to train the model on various pre-trained networks, including DenseNet201, using transfer-learning techniques. These networks were evaluated using several metrics, many of which address the challenges posed by imbalanced data. DensNet201 had the best performance overall.

Latent Space Exploration

Clusters Separation

The following plot illustrates a population exploration map, depicting the similarity among samples based on the latent space of a trained model. This map is constructed using the extracted features of the model.

In the latent space, each dot represents a sample. In this case, the color represents the ground truth value of the sample, and the size of the dot represents the loss value; the bigger the point, the larger the loss. As can be seen, there is a relatively good separation between images that represent a patient with a phenomenon and those that represent a patient without. In other words, samples representing healthy people share similar features, as do images of patients. There is, however, some overlap between the two, suggesting that the separation is not totally absolute.

Common Features

pixels values

Upon further investigation, it becomes clear that the two smaller groups are further separated. The images in the lower right group have a relatively large number of pixels representing a bright, almost white color (223). Compared to the upper right group in which the number of pixels with a value of 199 is greater.

Noticeably, in the upper right group, the images exhibit a higher average pixel value, signifying greater brightness. This corresponds to a larger number of images representing bacteria, which is in line with our expectations.

Conversely, in the lower group, we observe a higher standard deviation in pixel values, indicating more significant variation in image brightness

Detecting High Loss Clusters

U sing fetch similar a set of samples exhibiting elevated loss (darker color and larger size) was detected. Upon closer investigation, it becomes apparent that these samples correspond to instances where the ground truth indicates bacteria, but the model’s prediction suggests a viral presence.

Sample Loss Analysis

Within this section, we delve into the examination of features that impact the model’s predictions. Tensorleap automatically generates a heatmap that quantifies the effect different features have on loss/ specific prediction. In the image depicted below, the heat map displays warmer areas, indicating regions in the image where features are more prominent. The displayed image depicts a patient with a bacterial pneumonia, identifiable by a localized consolidation, as seen in this instance in the right upper lobe (indicated by the green arrow). The warmer coloration in the ‘bacteria up’ prediction at the same location indicates the likelihood that the image is classified as representing a bacterial infection, highlighting the distinctive features associated with this classification.

Getting Started with Tensorleap Project

This quick start guide will walk you through the steps to get started with this example repository project.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure that you have the following prerequisites installed:

Tensorleap CLI Installation

curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/tensorleap/leap-cli/master/install.sh | bash

Tensorleap CLI Usage

Tensorleap Login

To login to Tensorleap:

tensorleap auth login [api key] [api url].

 

How To Generate CLI Token from the UI

  1. Login to the platform in ‘CLIENT_NAME.tensorleap.ai’
  2. Scroll down to the bottom of the Resources Management page, then click GENERATE CLI TOKEN in the bottom-left corner.
  3. Once a CLI token is generated, just copy the whole text and paste it into your shell.

Tensorleap Project Deployment

To deploy your local changes:

leap project push

Tensorleap files

Tensorleap files in the repository include leap_binder.py and leap.yaml. The files consist of the required configurations to make the code integrate with the Tensorleap engine:

leap.yaml

leap.yaml file is configured to a dataset in your Tensorleap environment and is synced to the dataset saved in the environment.

For any additional file being used, we add its path under include parameter:

include:
    - leap_binder.py
    - healthcare/configs.py
    - [...]

leap_binder.py file

leap_binder.py configures all binding functions used to bind to Tensorleap engine. These are the functions used to evaluate and train the model, visualize the variables, and enrich the analysis with external metadata variables

Testing

To test the system we can run leap_test.py file using poetry:

poetry run test

This file will execute several tests on leap_binder.py script to assert that the implemented binding functions: preprocess, encoders, metadata, etc., run smoothly.

Find out more about how Tensorleap can answer your needs. Click here.

Inspected models

Dataset

Task

Image classification

Data Type

Images

Storage

Vertical

Healthcare

Picture of Chen Rothschild
Chen Rothschild