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Published on: June 9, 2018
An iterative multi-atlas patch-based approach for cortex segmentation from neonatal MRI
Carlos Tor-Díez1, Nicolas Passat2, Isabelle Bloch3
1IMT Atlantique, LaTIM U1101 INSERM, UBL, Brest, France.
Insights
This study introduces a new method for analyzing newborn brain structure, specifically the cortex, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The approach improves segmentation accuracy for preterm neonates, aiding in developmental predictions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Medical Image Analysis
- Developmental Neuroscience
Background:
- Neonatal brain structure analysis is crucial for predicting child development, especially in preterm infants.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used for observing brain structures like the cortex.
- Neonatal MRI data present unique processing challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an improved method for robust cortex segmentation in neonatal MRI data.
- To address the challenges associated with processing neonatal MRI data.
- To enhance the accuracy of brain structure analysis in preterm neonates.
Main Methods:
- A multi-atlas strategy leveraging pre-processed images.
- Integration of a non-local patch-based model with an iterative optimization scheme.
- Consideration of image information and current segmentation within the patch-based approach.
Main Results:
- The proposed method demonstrates robust cortex segmentation results on dHCP datasets.
- Experimental comparisons indicate superior performance compared to existing multi-atlas methods.
- The coupled patch-based and iterative optimization strategy enhances segmentation accuracy.
Conclusions:
- The novel multi-atlas approach offers a significant advancement in neonatal brain MRI analysis.
- Accurate cortex segmentation is vital for early detection and intervention in developmental disorders.
- This method provides a reliable tool for researchers and clinicians studying infant brain development.
Abstract:
Brain structure analysis in the newborn is a major health issue. This is especially the case for preterm neonates, in order to obtain predictive information related to the child development. In particular, the cortex is a structure of interest, that can be observed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, neonatal MRI data present specific properties that make them challenging to process. In this context, multi-atlas approaches constitute an efficient strategy, taking advantage of images processed beforehand. The method proposed in this article relies on such a multi-atlas strategy. More precisely, it uses two paradigms: first, a non-local model based on patches; second, an iterative optimization scheme. Coupling both concepts allows us to consider patches related not only to the image information, but also to the current segmentation. This strategy is compared to other multi-atlas methods proposed in the literature. Experiments on dHCP datasets show that the proposed approach provides robust cortex segmentation results.
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