The rupture of an intracranial aneurysm has dramatic consequences for the patient. Hence early detection
of unruptured aneurysms is of paramount importance. Bone-subtraction computed tomography angiography
(BSCTA) has proven to be a powerful tool for detection of aneurysms in particular those located close to the
skull base. Most aneurysms though are chance findings in BSCTA scans performed for other reasons. Therefore
it is highly desirable to have techniques operating on standard BSCTA scans available which assist radiologists
and surgeons in evaluation of intracranial aneurysms. In this paper we present a semi-automatic method for
segmentation and assessment of intracranial aneurysms. The only user-interaction required is placement of a
marker into the vascular malformation. Termination ensues automatically as soon as the segmentation reaches
the vessels which feed the aneurysm. The algorithm is derived from an adaptive region-growing which employs
a growth gradient as criterion for termination. Based on this segmentation values of high clinical and prognostic
significance, such as volume, minimum and maximum diameter as well as surface of the aneurysm, are calculated
automatically. the segmentation itself as well as the calculated diameters are visualised. Further segmentation
of the adjoining vessels provides the means for visualisation of the topographical situation of vascular structures
associated to the aneurysm. A stereolithographic mesh (STL) can be derived from the surface of the segmented
volume. STL together with parameters like the resiliency of vascular wall tissue provide for an accurate wall
model of the aneurysm and its associated vascular structures. Consequently the haemodynamic situation in the
aneurysm itself and close to it can be assessed by flow modelling. Significant values of haemodynamics such as
pressure onto the vascular wall, wall shear stress or pathlines of the blood flow can be computed. Additionally
a dynamic flow model can be generated. Thus the presented method supports a better understanding of the
clinical situation and assists the evaluation of therapeutic options. Furthermore it contributes to future research
addressing intervention planning and prognostic assessment of intracranial aneurysms.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
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.