OBJECTIVE: We propose a computer-aided method for regional ventilation analysis and observation of lung diseases in temporally resolved magnetic resonance imaging (4D MRI). METHODS: A shape model-based segmentation and registration workflow was used to create an atlas-derived reference system in which regional tissue motion can be quantified and multimodal image data can be compared regionally. Model-based temporal registration of the lung surfaces in 4D MRI data was compared with the registration of 4D computed tomography (CT) images. A ventilation analysis was performed on 4D MR images of patients with lung fibrosis; 4D MR ventilation maps were compared with corresponding diagnostic 3D CT images of the patients and 4D CT maps of subjects without impaired lung function (serving as reference). RESULTS: Comparison between the computed patient-specific 4D MR regional ventilation maps and diagnostic CT images shows good correlation in conspicuous regions. Comparison to 4D CT-derived ventilation maps supports the plausibility of the 4D MR maps. Dynamic MRI-based flow-volume loops and spirograms further visualize the free-breathing behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed methods allow for 4D MR-based regional analysis of tissue dynamics and ventilation in spontaneous breathing and comparison of patient data. The proposed atlas-based reference coordinate system provides an automated manner of annotating and comparing multimodal lung image data.
- Kolb, C.
- Wetscherek, A.
- Buzan, M. T.
- Werner, R.
- Rank, C. M.
- Kachelrie, M.
- Kreuter, M.
- Dinkel, J.
- Heuel, C. P.
- Maier-Hein, K.
Keywords
- Aged
- Computer Simulation
- Female
- Humans
- Image Enhancement/methods
- Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted/*methods
- Imaging, Three-Dimensional/*methods
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Models, Biological
- Pulmonary Fibrosis/*diagnostic imaging/physiopathology
- *Pulmonary Ventilation
- Reproducibility of Results
- Respiratory-Gated Imaging Techniques/*methods
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed