Abstract
We present two approaches for automatically segmenting the spinal cord/canal from native CT images of the thorax region containing the spine. Different strategies are included to handle images where only part of the spinal column is visible. The algorithms require one seed point given on a slice located in the middle region of the spine, and the rest is automatic. The spatial extent of the spinal cord/canal is determined automatically. An extended region-growing technique is suggested for segmenting the spinal canal while active contours are applied if the spinal cord is to be segmented. Both methods work in 2D and use propagated information from neighboring slices. They are also very rapid in execution, that means an efficient, user-friendly workflow. The methods were evaluated by radiologists and were found to be useful (in reducing/eliminating contouring labor and time) and met the accuracy and repeatability requirements for the particular task.
This work was supported by GE Medical Systems.
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Nyúl, L.G. et al. (2005). Method for Automatically Segmenting the Spinal Cord and Canal from 3D CT Images. In: Gagalowicz, A., Philips, W. (eds) Computer Analysis of Images and Patterns. CAIP 2005. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 3691. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/11556121_56
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/11556121_56
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
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