Top

International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery

Published in:

01-05-2019 | Original Article

A direct volume rendering visualization approach for serial PET–CT scans that preserves anatomical consistency

Authors: Younhyun Jung, Jinman Kim, Lei Bi, Ashnil Kumar, David Dagan Feng, Michael Fulham

Published in: International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery | Issue 5/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Our aim was to develop an interactive 3D direct volume rendering (DVR) visualization solution to interpret and analyze complex, serial multi-modality imaging datasets from positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET–CT).

Methods

Our approach uses: (i) a serial transfer function (TF) optimization to automatically depict particular regions of interest (ROIs) over serial datasets with consistent anatomical structures; (ii) integration of a serial segmentation algorithm to interactively identify and track ROIs on PET; and (iii) parallel graphics processing unit (GPU) implementation for interactive visualization.

Results

Our DVR visualization more easily identifies changes in ROIs in serial scans in an automated fashion and parallel GPU computation which enables interactive visualization.

Conclusions

Our approach provides a rapid 3D visualization of relevant ROIs over multiple scans, and we suggest that it can be used as an adjunct to conventional 2D viewing software from scanner vendors.

Available only for authorised users

Pfister H, Lorensen B, Bajaj C, Kindlmann G, Schroeder W, Avila L, Martin K, Machiraju R (2007) The transfer function bake-off. IEEE Comput Graph Appl 21(3):16–22

Correa C, Ma K (2011) Visibility histograms and visibility-driven transfer functions. IEEE Trans Vis Comput Graph 17(2):192–204CrossRefPubMed

Qin H, Ye B, He R (2015) The voxel visibility model: an efficient framework for transfer function design. Comput Med Imaging Graph 40:138–146CrossRefPubMed

Ma B, Entezari A (2018) Volumetric feature-based classification and visibility analysis for transfer function design. IEEE Trans Vis Comput Graph 25(1):3253–3267CrossRef

Jung Y, Kim J, Eberl S, Fulham M, Feng D (2013) Visibility-driven PET–CT visualisation with region of interest (ROI) segmentation. Visual Comput 29(6–8):805–815CrossRef

Tzeng F, Ma K (2005) Intelligent feature extraction and tracking for visualizing large-scale 4D flow simulations. In: Proceedings of ACM/IEEE supercomputing 05

Akiba H, Fout N, Ma K (2006) Simultaneous classification of time-vying volume data based on the time histogram. In: Proceedings of EuroVis 06

Maciejewski R, Woo I, Chen W, Ebert D (2009) Structuring feature space: a non-parametric method for volumetric transfer function generation. IEEE Trans Vis Comput Graph 15(6):1473–1480CrossRefPubMed

Kim J, Hu Y, Eberl S, Feng D, Fulham M (2008) A fully automatic bed/linen segmentation for fused PET/CT MIP rendering. In: Proceedings of EMBC 08

10.

Klein S, Staring M, Murphy K, Viergever MA, Pluim J (2010) Elastix: a toolbox for intensity-based medical image registration. IEEE Trans Med Imaging 29(1):196–205CrossRefPubMed

11.

Bi L, Kim J, Wen L, Kumar A, Fulham M, Feng D (2013) Cellular automata and anisotropic diffusion filter based interactive tumor segmentation for positron emission tomography. In: Proceedings of EMBC 13

12.

Desbordes P, Petitjean C, Ruan S (2016) Segmentation of lymphoma tumor in PET images using cellular automata: a preliminary study. IRBM 37(1):3–10CrossRef

13.

Wahl R, Jacene H, Kasamon Y, Lodge MA (2009) From RECIST to PERCIST: evolving considerations for PET response criteria in solid tumors. J Nucl Med 50:122–150CrossRef

14.

Hamamci A, Kucuk N, Karaman K, Engin K, Unal G (2012) Tumor-cut: segmentation of brain tumors on contrast enhanced MR images for radiosurgery applications. IEEE Trans Med Imaging 31(3):790–804CrossRefPubMed

15.

Liu Y, Cheng H, Huang J, Zhang Y, Tang X (2012) An effective approach of lesion segmentation within the breast ultrasound image based on the cellular automata principle. J Digit Imaging 25(5):580–590CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

16.

Lagarias J, Reeds J, Wright M, Wright P (1998) Convergence properties of the Nelder–Mead simplex method in low dimensions. SIAM J Optim 9(1):112–147CrossRef

17.

Kniss J, Kindlmann G, Hansen C (2001) Interactive volume rendering using multi-dimensional transfer functions and direct manipulation widgets. In: Proceedings of IEEE Vis 01

18.

Meyer-Spradow J, Ropinski T, Mensmann J, Hinrichs K (2009) Voreen: a rapid-prototyping environment for ray-casting-based volume visualizations. IEEE Comput Graph Appl 29(6):6–13CrossRefPubMed

Title: A direct volume rendering visualization approach for serial PET–CT scans that preserves anatomical consistency
Authors: Younhyun Jung
Jinman Kim
Lei Bi
Ashnil Kumar
David Dagan Feng
Michael Fulham
Publication date: 01-05-2019
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery / Issue 5/2019
Print ISSN: 1861-6410
Electronic ISSN: 1861-6429
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-019-01916-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

A direct volume rendering visualization approach for serial PET–CT scans that preserves anatomical consistency

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 5/2019

A novel image-based retrieval system for characterization of maxillofacial lesions in cone beam CT images

Random forest classifiers aid in the detection of incidental osteoblastic osseous metastases in DEXA studies

Robotic laser osteotomy through penscriptive structured light visual servoing

A novel multiple communication paths for surgical telepresence videos delivery of the maxilla area in oral and maxillofacial surgery

Optimization of electronic prescription for parallel external fixator based on genetic algorithm

A practical marker-less image registration method for augmented reality oral and maxillofacial surgery