Neuroscience 2001 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 935.18 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | 3D SEGMENTATION OF SPINAL CORD MRI. |
| Authors: |
Cole, M. K.*1
; Ulmer, J. L.2
; Schmit, B. D.1,3
1Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 2Neuroradiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 3Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Motor Systems - Spinal Cord |
| Session: |
935. Spinal cord: functional recovery Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Thursday, November 15, 2001 9:00 AM-10:00 AM |
| Location: | Exhibit Hall Z-7 |
| Keywords: | Neuroimaging, Spinal Cord Injury, Sensorimotor, Rehabilitation |
A 3D seeded region growing technique was applied to MRI images of the spinal cord in order to separate morphological features such as gray and white matter. This technique was implemented to overcome the problems in delineating boundaries between morphologic structures using standard clinical MRI scans (T1, T2, continuous slice) of the spinal cord. Traditional images are 256 levels of gray with no clear delineation between white matter and gray matter tracts. Threshold based segmentation techniques, which are typically used for the identification of morphologic boundaries, are not adequate for this problem due to the nature of the MRI images. Small pockets of supposed white matter appear in gray matter and vice versa. The 3D seeded region growing technique takes advantage of both inter-slice and intra-slice variations in gray level to segment gray and white matter and insure that the regions are contiguous. This eliminates the pockets that would occur if a simple threshold were used. Once segmented, the data can be used to generate a 3D visual model of the spinal cord. This model may be viewed in standard viewing software from any number of angles, vantage points, or cut-aways. MRI scans of three cervical spinal cords have been used to develop this technique.
In future studies, the 3D segmented model will be used for rendering the spinal cord following spinal cord injury and will be correlated with clinical outcome, ASIA score, and level of injury. Additional studies will correlate images of the injured spinal cord with measurements of motor function.
In future studies, the 3D segmented model will be used for rendering the spinal cord following spinal cord injury and will be correlated with clinical outcome, ASIA score, and level of injury. Additional studies will correlate images of the injured spinal cord with measurements of motor function.
Supported by Bagozzi Professorship Fund in Biomedical Engineering.
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2001 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2001. Online.
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