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PubMed · 15554125

Three-dimensional path planning for virtual bronchoscopy.

A P Kiraly·J P Helferty·E A Hoffman·G McLennan·W E Higgins
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Abstract

Multidetector computed-tomography (MDCT) scanners provide large high-resolution three-dimensional (3-D) images of the chest. MDCT scanning, when used in tandem with bronchoscopy, provides a state-of-the-art approach for lung-cancer assessment. We have been building and validating a lung-cancer assessment system, which enables virtual-bronchoscopic 3-D MDCT image analysis and follow-on image-guided bronchoscopy. A suitable path planning method is needed, however, for using this system. We describe a rapid, robust method for computing a set of 3-D airway-tree paths from MDCT images. The method first defines the skeleton of a given segmented 3-D chest image and then performs a multistage refinement of the skeleton to arrive at a final tree structure. The tree consists of a series of paths and branch structural data, suitable for quantitative airway analysis and smooth virtual navigation. A comparison of the method to a previously devised path-planning approach, using a set of human MDCT images, illustrates the efficacy of the method. Results are also presented for human lung-cancer assessment and the guidance of bronchoscopy.

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AlgorithmsArtificial IntelligenceBronchial DiseasesBronchographyBronchoscopyHumansImaging, Three-DimensionalLung NeoplasmsPattern Recognition, AutomatedRadiographic Image EnhancementRadiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-AssistedReproducibility of ResultsSensitivity and SpecificitySignal Processing, Computer-AssistedSubtraction TechniqueSurgery, Computer-AssistedUser-Computer InterfaceClinical TrialJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.Validation Study

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BibTeXRIS

A P Kiraly, J P Helferty, E A Hoffman, G McLennan, W E Higgins. 2004. Three-dimensional path planning for virtual bronchoscopy.. https://doi.org/10.1109/tmi.2004.829332

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