3-Dimensional Neurosurgical Planning Using Multilevel CT-MRI Image Registration and Fusion.

Abstract

Each imaging modalities information is supplemented by medical imaging technologies. The surgical planning platform is improved by fusing these complementary pictures into the same space and conducting 3D volume rendering and depth peeling on fused sequences. The use of 3D visualisation of fused sequences such as CT-MRI of the brain can help locate the point of incision on the cranium and the space lesion. On CT-MRI sequences, image registration is done, followed by fusion, utilising pixel-based and feature-based fusion algorithms, respectively. On the brain CT-MRI image sequences, a unique multilevel registration technique is used in place of the traditional image registration strategy, which has drawbacks. The Multi-resolution registration technique is used for level one registration, and the Bspline Deformable Registration Technique is used for level two registration. The results of the multilevel registration procedure are then used to execute feature-based fusion. This is followed by 3D volume rendering on the fused sequence of CT and registered MRI sequence. The results of fusion are evaluated between the resultants of both level-1 and level-2 registration. The Q4 index and the Correlation Coefficient (CC) are two potential measures for estimating fusion results. Both level-1 & 2 registration approaches yield fusion results. For level-1 & 2 fusion, the average CC measured across all image pairs are 0.71 and 0.85, respectively, while Q4 measured 0.21 and 0.46 for level-1 & 2, respectively. At level-2 registration, both CC and Q4 exhibit an improvement in fusion. Using VTK angle and distance widgets for measuring distances and angles on the 3D model, improving path planning capabilities. The proposed research creates a computer-aided platform for better neurosurgical planning. The multilevel registration method produced promising fusion results and laid the groundwork for enhanced 3D viewing of fused CT-MRI sequences using depth peeling. Distance and angle measurements improve surgical planning capability.