Automated segmentation of colonic walls for computerized detection of polyps in CT colonography.
OBJECTIVE
A new method for fully automated segmentation of the colonic walls in volumetric CT data was developed for limitation of the search space in computerized detection of polyps.


METHODS
For reliable segmentation, an anatomy-oriented approach was used, in which several anatomical structures are segmented in addition to the colon for utilization of their properties.


RESULTS
The segmentation method was validated by use of 14 data sets, consisting of cases positive for colonic polyps. We found that the segmented colonic walls included all of the polyps. A subjective rating of the results was performed based on several criteria for visualization of anatomic detail of the colonic wall and mucosal surface. Except for a few cases in which insufflation of the colon was insufficient, all of the results included >95% of the colonic walls.


CONCLUSIONS
This method for colonic wall segmentation is reliable and the segmentation results are applicable in both visualization of the colon and computer-aided diagnosis in the detection of polyps in CT colonography.
Masutani
Y
Y
Kurt Rossman Laboratories for Radiologic Image Research, University of Chicago, IL 60637, USA. y-masutani@uchicago.edu
Yoshida
H
H
MacEneaney
P M
PM
Dachman
A H
AH
D001331:Automation; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*