# Application of Spherical Convolutional Neural Networks to Image Reconstruction and Denoising in Nuclear Medicine

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.03298 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2307.03298/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 10 of its 37 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 6 Jul 2023.

## Builds on (most cited first, 10 of 10)

- [PyTorch: An Imperative Style, High-Performance Deep Learning Library](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1912.01703/) (2019)
- [U-Net: Convolutional Networks for Biomedical Image Segmentation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1505.04597/) (2015)
- [Group Equivariant Convolutional Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1602.07576/) (2016)
- [Spherical CNNs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1801.10130/) (2018)
- [General E(2)-Equivariant Steerable CNNs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1911.08251/) (2019)
- [Steerable CNNs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1612.08498/) (2016)
- [Iterative PET Image Reconstruction Using Convolutional Neural Network Representation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1710.03344/) (2017)
- [Convolutional Networks for Spherical Signals](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1709.04893/) (2017)
- [Fully 3D Implementation of the End-to-end Deep Image Prior-based PET Image Reconstruction Using Block Iterative Algorithm](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2212.11844/) (2022)
- [Self-Supervised and Supervised Deep Learning for PET Image Reconstruction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2302.13086/) (2023)

## Abstract (arXiv)

This work investigates use of equivariant neural networks as efficient and high-performance frameworks for image reconstruction and denoising in nuclear medicine. Our work aims to tackle limitations of conventional Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), which require significant training. We investigated equivariant networks, aiming to reduce CNN's dependency on specific training sets. Specifically, we implemented and evaluated equivariant spherical CNNs (SCNNs) for 2- and 3-dimensional medical imaging problems. Our results demonstrate superior quality and computational efficiency of SCNNs in both image reconstruction and denoising benchmark problems. Furthermore, we propose a novel approach to employ SCNNs as a complement to conventional image reconstruction tools, enhancing the outcomes while reducing reliance on the training set. Across all cases, we observed significant decrease in computational cost by leveraging the inherent inclusion of equivariant representatives while achieving the same or higher quality of image processing using SCNNs compared to CNNs. Additionally, we explore the potential of SCNNs for broader tomography applications, particularly those requiring rotationally variant representation.