A continuous point measure for quantifying skull deformation in medical diagnostics

Abstract

Deformational plagiocephaly (DP) manifests in a deformed skull primarily caused by retaining a constant sleeping position in infants. Manual measures of skull asymmetry based on MRI or CT scans combined with the cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI) provides information on the extent of asymmetry. CVAI uses four points on the skull as markers for the asymmetry index but tends to underestimate the deformity because of the lack of sampling points. Computer-based continuous-point methods may be a more objective measure with better sensitivity for the skull contour. The outline of the skull circumference of infants with confirmed cranial deformity was obtained from the literature and analysed applying the mean bending energy (MBE) obtained from the Hermitian wavelet. MBE was shown to correlate with CVAI in the current sample and has the potential to add both quantitative and visual information in 2D or 3D space for the clinician to diagnose DP. Waveletbased continuous-point estimation of skull asymmetry is a useful method as it is more sensitive to mild deformation anywhere along the skull outline and in assessing slow but progressive improvement as a result of treatment. The broader significance is that this method can be applied to other structural pathology analysis in clinical practice.

Child Abuse and Deformational Plagiocephaly in a West Texas Hospital System

“…In the literature, common methods of assessing DP include the Argenta scale 19 , optical three-dimensional imaging, 20,21 anthropometric measurements using calipers 21 plagiocephalometry, 22,23 and the flexicurve. 24 Among these various methods of plagiocephaly assessment, the CVAI has been shown to be a reliable method of evaluation, with prior studies affirming the use of visual assessments, flexicurve, and anthropometric measurements with calipers. 13,22,24 That said, anthropometric measurements can involve the creation of outlines for head circumference, 24 and we justified the use of CT scans as substitutes for these circumferential outlines.…”

“…24 Among these various methods of plagiocephaly assessment, the CVAI has been shown to be a reliable method of evaluation, with prior studies affirming the use of visual assessments, flexicurve, and anthropometric measurements with calipers. 13,22,24 That said, anthropometric measurements can involve the creation of outlines for head circumference, 24 and we justified the use of CT scans as substitutes for these circumferential outlines. In choosing to apply the CVAI to CT scans, we assumed the results would be applicable to CVAI measurements via the different means listed earlier, particularly when CT scans are ordered for suspected abuse/head trauma.…”

RGBD Infant Head Reconstruction for Cranial Vault Asymmetry Estimation

“…Meyer-Marcotty et al [19] employ a non-invasive 3D scanning solution consisting of five synchronized depth sensors with an infant situated in the center. Jelinek et al [21] use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and extract the relevant cross-sections to determine the cranial vault asymmetry. Skolnick et al [15] compare direct caliper measurements with digital photogrammetric measurements.…”

Automated Spatial Pattern Analysis for Identification of Foot Arch Height From 2D Foot Prints

“…Clarke’s Arch Angle ( Clarke, 1933 ), Index of Irwin (1937) , Truncated Arch Index and the Arch Length Index ( Hawes et al, 1992 ) have been proposed as alternatives but have similar shortcomings and are therefore not used routinely in clinical practice. Automated feature analysis methods with Gabor Wavelet-based feature extraction have been applied in diverse clinical areas and have shown promise in identification of plagiocephaly, proliferative retinopathy, brain tumor detection, and complex image analysis ( Jelinek et al, 2003 ; Jelinek et al, 2014 ; Nagtode et al, 2016 ). Therefore, the current paper explores the use of automated images analysis for the classification of footprints within a clinical environment and for research purposes.…”