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Interactive exploration of a 3D intracranial aneurysm wall model extracted from histologic slices

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International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Currently no detailed in vivo imaging of the intracranial vessel wall exists. Ex vivo histologic images can provide information about the intracranial aneurysm (IA) wall composition that is useful for the understanding of IA development and rupture risk. For a 3D analysis, the 2D histologic slices must be incorporated in a 3D model which can be used for a spatial evaluation of the IA’s morphology, including analysis of the IA neck.

Methods

In 2D images of histologic slices, different wall layers were manually segmented and a 3D model was generated. The nuclei were automatically detected and classified as round or elongated, and a neural network-based wall type classification was performed. The information was combined in a software prototype visualization providing a unique view of the wall characteristics of an IA and allowing interactive exploration. Furthermore, the heterogeneity (as variance of the wall thickness) of the wall was evaluated.

Result

A 3D model correctly representing the histologic data was reconstructed. The visualization integrating wall information was perceived as useful by a medical expert. The classification produces a plausible result.

Conclusion

The usage of histologic images allows to create a 3D model with new information about the aneurysm wall. The model provides information about the wall thickness, its heterogeneity and, when performed on cadaveric samples, includes information about the transition between IA neck and sac.

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Acknowledgements

This work is partly funded by the German Research Foundation (SA 3461/2-1) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research within the Forschungscampus STIMULATE (13GW0095A).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Computer Science, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany

    Annika Niemann, Bernhard Preim & Sylvia Saalfeld

  2. Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Klinikum, Munich, Germany

    Simon Weigand

  3. Research Campus STIMULATE, Magdeburg, Germany

    Thomas Hoffmann & Sylvia Saalfeld

  4. University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany

    Martin Skalej

  5. Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Riikka Tulamo

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  1. Annika Niemann
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  2. Simon Weigand
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  3. Thomas Hoffmann
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  4. Martin Skalej
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  5. Riikka Tulamo
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  7. Sylvia Saalfeld
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Correspondence to Annika Niemann.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. For this type of study, formal consent is not required.

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Niemann, A., Weigand, S., Hoffmann, T. et al. Interactive exploration of a 3D intracranial aneurysm wall model extracted from histologic slices. Int J CARS 15, 99–107 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-019-02083-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-019-02083-0

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