Sensitivity and reproducibility of a new fast 3D segmentation technique for clinical MR-based brain volumetry in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Fast, reliable and easy-to-use methods to quantify brain atrophy are of increasing importance in clinical studies on neuro-degenerative diseases. Here, ILAB 4, a new volumetry software that uses a fast semi-automated 3D segmentation of thin-slice T1-weighted 3D MR images based on a modified watershed transform and an automatic histogram analysis was evaluated. It provides the cerebral volumes: whole brain, white matter, gray matter and intracranial cavity. Inter- and intra-rater reliability and scan-rescan reproducibility were excellent in measuring whole brain volumes (coefficients of variation below 0.5%) of volunteers and patients. However, gray and white matter volumes were more susceptible to image quality. High accuracy of the absolute volume results (+/-5 ml) were shown by phantom and preparation measurements. Analysis times were 6 min for processing of 128 slices. The proposed technique is reliable and highly suitable for quantitative studies of brain atrophy, e.g., in multiple sclerosis.

Quantitative Assessment of Brain Stem and Cerebellar Atrophy in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Types 3 and 6: Impact on Clinical Status

“…The reliability and usefulness of this approach have been shown in previous studies for different types of neurodegenerative diseases, including SCA and multiple sclerosis. 15,16 All volumes were derived from individual standardized T1-weighted 3D MR imaging datasets. Cerebellar volumetry was implemented by using a previously described semiautomated method, which has been validated for its reproducibility and usefulness in SCA.…”

“…This automatic histogram analysis is a modification of the model-based whole-brain volumetry method described earlier. 16 It has been adapted to the specific shape of cerebellar image-intensity characteristics to robustly yield cerebellar volumes. The histogram model used comprises a voxel-wise weighting factor for partial volume effects occurring at the boundary between cerebellar tissue and CSF, such that cerebellar volume reduction due to successive sulcal widening, even if only minimal, can be sensitively measured.…”

Benefit of repetitive intrathecal triamcinolone acetonide therapy in predominantly spinal multiple sclerosis: prediction by upper spinal cord atrophy

“…The intracranial volume was assessed on the basis of the volumetric T1-weighted 3D data by using a semi-automated volumetry method for brain volumetry which is identical to the method used in Lukas et al [2004]. The histogram based volume computation approach employed therein is described in more detail in Hahn et al [2004].…”

Automated Multidetector Row CT Dataset Segmentation with an Interactive Watershed Transform (IWT) Algorithm: Part 1. Understanding the IWT Technique

“…[13][14][15] Unlike many other segmentation tech- niques, the watershed transform makes very few assumptions about the objects being segmented. In fact, the only assumption made is that an object is connected (that is, contiguous in space) and that there is a similarity in specific image properties over the object.…”

“…[13][14][15][16][17][18] This tool rapidly segments the osseous structures from a CT dataset with minimal interactivity to enhance evaluation of the vascular structures with CT angiography (CTA) or to improve visualization of bone surfaces. In part 1 of this two-part series, a description of the IWT is presented.…”