Abstract

L. Itti, L. Chang, T. Ernst, Segmentation of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy Lesions in Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Journal of Neuroimaging, Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 412-417, Oct 2001. [2000 impact factor: 0.942] (Cited by 26)

Abstract: Background and Purpose: To compare the reproducibility of manual and a semi-automated technique for the quantitation of white matter lesions in magnetic resonance imaging. Methods: Volumes of white matter lesions were determined using FLAIR MRI in 23 AIDS patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Manual outlining was compared to an automated method based on region growing and adaptive thresholding. Results: Lesion volumes from the two methods correlated well (61 lesions, r=0.99, p<0.0001), although the volumes differed substantially (12.8 +/- 13.7 percent, mean +/- S.D). Interscan intrasubject reproducibility was better for the automated than the manual method (2.9 +/- 3.2 percent vs. 12.4 +/- 16.2 percent volume difference, p=0.02). Conclusion: The automated algorithm appeared more reproducible, which renders it superior to the manual method for longitudinal studies.

Themes: Medical Image Processing, Medical Research