Partial　differential　equations　are　widely　used　in　image　segmentation.　Meanwhile,　topological　change　of　Curve　evolution,　which　is　very　difficult　to　solve　previously,　was　effectively　handled　by　level　set　method　proposed　by　Osher　and　Sethian.　In　this　paper,　several　region-based　level　set　image　segmentation　models　in　recent　years　are　described　in　details.　By　experimenting　some　of　the　models,　the　main　limitations　and　development　potential　of　this　field　are　discussed.　©　2012　IEEE.