Precise segmentation of the lateral ventricles and caudate nucleus in MR brain images using anatomically driven histograms

Worth AJ, Makris N, Patti MR, Goodman JM, Hoge EA, Caviness VS, Kennedy DN

IEEE Trans Med Imaging 1998 Apr;17(2):303-10

PMID: 9688163

Abstract

This paper demonstrates a time-saving, automated method that helps to segment the lateral ventricles and caudate nucleus in T1-weighted coronal magnetic resonance (MR) brain images of normal control subjects. The method involves choosing intensity thresholds by using anatomical information and by locating peaks in histograms. To validate the method, the lateral ventricles and caudate nucleus were segmented in three brain scans by four experts, first using an established method involving isointensity contours and manual editing, and second using automatically generated intensity thresholds as an aid to the established method. The results demonstrate both time savings and increased reliability.