Automatic segmentation of the colon

Christopher L. Wyatt; Yaorong Ge; David J. Vining

doi:10.1117/12.349583

20 May 1999 Automatic segmentation of the colon

Christopher L. Wyatt, Yaorong Ge, David J. Vining

Proceedings Volume 3660, Medical Imaging 1999: Physiology and Function from Multidimensional Images; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.349583
Event: Medical Imaging '99, 1999, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Virtual colonoscopy is a minimally invasive technique that enables detection of colorectal polyps and cancer. Normally, a patient's bowel is prepared with colonic lavage and gas insufflation prior to computed tomography (CT) scanning. An important step for 3D analysis of the image volume is segmentation of the colon. The high-contrast gas/tissue interface that exists in the colon lumen makes segmentation of the majority of the colon relatively easy; however, two factors inhibit automatic segmentation of the entire colon. First, the colon is not the only gas-filled organ in the data volume: lungs, small bowel, and stomach also meet this criteria. User-defined seed points placed in the colon lumen have previously been required to spatially isolate only the colon. Second, portions of the colon lumen may be obstructed by peristalsis, large masses, and/or residual feces. These complicating factors require increased user interaction during the segmentation process to isolate additional colon segments. To automate the segmentation of the colon, we have developed a method to locate seed points and segment the gas-filled lumen with no user supervision. We have also developed an automated approach to improve lumen segmentation by digitally removing residual contrast-enhanced fluid resulting from a new bowel preparation that liquefies and opacifies any residual feces.

Citation Download Citation

Christopher L. Wyatt, Yaorong Ge, and David J. Vining "Automatic segmentation of the colon", Proc. SPIE 3660, Medical Imaging 1999: Physiology and Function from Multidimensional Images, (20 May 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.349583

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available