Hybrid Neural Networks for Precise Hydronephrosis Classification Using Deep Learning

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate a deep learning framework for automatic kidney and fluid segmentation in renal ultrasound images, aiming to enhance diagnostic accuracy and reduce variability in hydronephrosis assessment. METHODS: A dataset of 1731 renal ultrasound images, annotated by four experienced urologists, was used for model training and evaluation. The proposed framework integrates a DenseNet201 backbone, Feature Pyramid Network (FPN), and Self-Organizing Neural Network (SelfONN) layers to enable multi-scale feature extraction and improve spatial precision. Several architectures were tested under identical conditions to ensure a fair comparison. Segmentation performance was assessed using standard metrics, including the Dice coefficient, precision, and recall. The framework also supported hydronephrosis classification using the fluid-to-kidney area ratio, with a threshold of 0.213 derived from prior literature. RESULTS: The model achieved strong segmentation performance for kidneys (Dice: 0.92, precision: 0.93, recall: 0.91) and fluid regions (Dice: 0.89, precision: 0.90, recall: 0.88), outperforming baseline methods. The classification accuracy for detecting hydronephrosis reached 94%, based on the computed fluid-to-kidney ratio. Performance was consistent across varied image qualities, reflecting the robustness of the overall architecture. CONCLUSION: This study presents an automated, objective pipeline for analyzing renal ultrasound images. The proposed framework supports high segmentation accuracy and reliable classification, facilitating standardized and reproducible hydronephrosis assessment. Future work will focus on model optimization and incorporating explainable AI to enhance clinical integration.

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