Automatic Axis Extraction from “Tubular” Structures In CT Images- An Application in Virtual Colonoscopy
Date issued
2008
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Václav Skala - UNION Agency
Abstract
This paper presents a new method for axis extraction from “tubular” structures in CT images. The axis is
important in virtual colonoscopy systems because it offers more efficient measurement features and better
interactive visualization possibilities.
The proposed method is based on the “pseudo-tubular” structure of the Colon. To find a good estimation of the
Colon axis, the method is organized in two steps: In the first step, the voxels are organized in sequential clusters
along the structure using a region-growing strategy and a cylindricity criterion. Each cluster has a distinct point
(which is a good candidate to be part of the axis, identified by the cylindricity criterion), and an internal partial
ordering of the cluster’s voxels. This information structure allows us, in the second step, to propose three
instances (one per principal coordinate axis) of an estimation problem to be solved with the Takagi-Sugeno-
Kang Method (TSK). Based in the resulting solutions it is possible to build a piece-wise linear estimation of the
colon axis.
This method has produced good results. It is robust in face of the “pseudo-tubular” shape of the colon. It has
been tested on a set of Colon CT images from previously prepared patients. The results are illustrated with
animations of virtual colonoscopy and a set of measurements and visualizations. Medical practitioners had a
good perception of the method’s potential in the field of virtual colonoscopy applications.
Description
Subject(s)
virtuální kolonoskopie, extrakce os, zpracování 3D obrazů, lékařské zobrazování
Citation
WSCG '2008: Full Papers: The 16-th International Conference in Central Europe on Computer Graphics, Visualization and Computer Vision in co-operation with EUROGRAPHICS, University of West Bohemia Plzen, Czech Republic, February 4 - 7, 2008, p. 89-96.