Abstract

PurposeAutomated bone segmentation from MRI datasets would have a profound impact on clinical utility, particularly in the craniofacial skeleton where complex anatomy is coupled with radiosensitive organs. Techniques such as gradient echo black bone (GRE-BB) and short echo time (UTE, ZTE) have shown potential in this quest. The objectives of this study were to ascertain (1) whether the high-contrast of zero echo time (ZTE) could drive segmentation of high-resolution GRE-BB data to enhance 3D-output and (2) if these techniques could be extrapolated to ZTE driven segmentation of a routinely used non bone-specific sequence (FIESTA-C).MethodsEleven adult volunteers underwent 3T MRI examination with sequential acquisition of ZTE, GRE-BB and FIESTA-C imaging. Craniofacial bone segmentation was performed using a fully automated segmentation algorithm. Segmentation was completed individually for GRE-BB and a modified version of the algorithm was subsequently implemented, wherein the bone mask yielded by ZTE segmentation was used to initialise segmentation of GRE-BB. The techniques were subsequently applied to FIESTA-C datasets. The resulting 3D reconstructions were evaluated for areas of unexpected bony defects and discrepancies.ResultsThe automated segmentation algorithm yielded acceptable 3D outputs for all GRE-BB datasets. These were enhanced with the modified algorithm using ZTE as a driver, with improvements in areas of air/bone interface and dense muscular attachments. Comparable results were obtained with ZTE+FIESTA-C.ConclusionAutomated 3D segmentation of the craniofacial skeleton is enhanced through the incorporation of a modified segmentation algorithm utilising ZTE. These techniques are transferrable to FIESTA-C imaging which offers reduced acquisition time and therefore improved clinical utility.

Highlights

  • The widespread use of three-dimensional (3D) imaging and 3D printing has further fuelled the search for automated segmentation methods, with resultant high clinical expectations irrespective of intrinsic imaging limitations

  • Neuroradiology (2021) 63:91–98 signal from bone, gradient echo (GRE) black bone (BB) techniques were developed to enhance the bone-soft tissue boundary using a combination of short echo (TE) and repetition times (TR) and a low flip angle

  • The protocol included the sequential acquisition of zero echo time (ZTE) (3D radial), gradient echo black bone (GRE-BB) and FIESTA-C imaging

Read more

Summary

Introduction

The widespread use of three-dimensional (3D) imaging and 3D printing has further fuelled the search for automated segmentation methods, with resultant high clinical expectations irrespective of intrinsic imaging limitations. Neuroradiology (2021) 63:91–98 signal from bone, gradient echo (GRE) black bone (BB) techniques were developed to enhance the bone-soft tissue boundary using a combination of short echo (TE) and repetition times (TR) and a low flip angle. This results in minimal signal being returned from cortical bone and soft tissue species which appear uniform. Previous attempts with GRE-BB to produce 3D rendered imaging of the craniofacial skeleton have shown considerable promise, but remain limited by time-intensive segmentation techniques [2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. Recent developments in an automated segmentation algorithm have brought these techniques significantly closer to routine clinical practice [9]

Objectives
Methods
Results
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call