Finite element modeling of brain tumor mass-effect from 3D medical images

Motivated by the need for methods to aid the deformable registration of brain tumor images, we present a three-dimensional (3D) mechanical model for simulating large non-linear deformations induced by tumors to the surrounding encephalic tissues. The model is initialized with 3D radiological images and is implemented using the finite element (FE) method. To simulate the widely varying behavior of brain tumors, the model is controlled by a number of parameters that are related to variables such as the bulk tumor location, size, mass-effect, and peri-tumor edema extent. Model predictions are compared to real brain tumor-induced deformations observed in serial-time MRI scans of a human subject and 3 canines with surgically transplanted gliomas. Results indicate that the model can reproduce the real deformations with an accuracy that is similar to that of manual placement of landmark points to which the model is compared.