MCI-GAN: a novel GAN with identity blocks inspired by menstrual cycle behavior for missing pixel imputation

Abstract This paper presents MCI-GAN, a novel menstrual cycle imputation (MCI) and generative adversarial network (GAN) framework designed to address the challenge of missing pixel imputation in medical images. Inspired by the intelligent behavior of the endometrial lining during the menstrual cycle, our method introduces four key innovations. First, we propose a novel metaheuristic algorithm that assigns weights to surround pixels based on menstrual cycle behavior, ensuring that the imputed pixels maintain structural integrity and coherence with their neighbors, thus preserving overall image quality. Second, to enhance the learning capability of the GAN, identity blocks are integrated into the network architecture, improving the network’s ability to capture complex spatial relationships and leading to more accurate and consistent imputation of missing pixels. Third, we introduce an adaptive loss function that dynamically adjusts the penalty for pixel discrepancies based on local image context, allowing the model to focus on areas where accurate imputation is most critical and thereby enhancing overall image fidelity. Fourth, the framework incorporates a multi-scale feature extraction mechanism, enabling the GAN to process and combine information at various levels of detail, ensuring that both fine-grained textures and larger structural patterns are accurately captured during the imputation process. The efficacy of MCI-GAN is demonstrated across three diverse medical imaging datasets: mammograms, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and skin lesion images. Our results show that the proposed method significantly outperforms existing approaches in terms of accuracy and structural coherence, offering a robust solution for missing pixel imputation in medical imaging.