Assessment of Manual Segmentation of Magnetic Resonance Images of Skeletal Muscles

Abstract

Technical considerations related to the manual detection of muscles boundaries from magnetic resonance images (MRI) are evaluated. Two commercial image processing software programs were used by two operators to obtain measurements on MRI from a phantom and from muscles of the upper limb and trunk. Optimization of MRI acquisition sequences, image resolution, image contrast, and sub-sampling effect were also experimented. No significant intra- and inter-operator variation was observed and results obtained from both softwares were similar. Generally, sub-millimetric slide thickness offers better definition but lower contrast than thicker slices. Differences in estimated length, surface and volume of upper limb and back muscles were small for slice thickness varying between 1.5 and 4 mm. Accuracy of manual segmentation of muscles with MRI was found more dependent on the contrast than on the human factors.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 25, 2001
Accession Number
ADA411985

Entities

People

  • A. Tinlot
  • C. E. Aubin
  • G. Zoabli
  • M. Beausejour
  • P. A. Mathieu

Organizations

  • Université de Montréal

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Boundaries
  • Computer Programs
  • Computer Vision
  • Contrast
  • Detection
  • Diameters
  • Image Processing
  • Magnetic Resonance
  • Measurement
  • Muscles
  • Sampling
  • Sequences
  • Skeletal Muscle
  • Statistics
  • Subcutaneous Tissue
  • Thickness

Fields of Study

  • Medicine
  • Physics

Readers

  • Computer Vision.
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.