title: Quantification methodology for peripheral quantitative computed tomography (PQCT) data using public domain software.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a method for viewing, processing and acquiring 3-dimensional volumetric data from existing ovine spinal peripheral quantitative computed tomography (PQCT) scans of posterior lateral fusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  An image processing development study.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Existing medical image viewing software can be expensive and difficult to adapt to meet specific research needs. The goals of this study were to produce volume rendering of PQCT scans through processing, masking, and segmentation using public domain software with established source code.
  
  
  METHODS
  Raw data files (DICOM format) of 32 PQCT scans from animals receiving spine fusion were obtained. Metal hardware was removed from the images by masks and image segmentation. Calculation of bone macro-architecture volumetric data was performed on right and left sides of spines to quantify fusion volume in normalized segments between transverse processes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Images were acquired and opened. Application of image processing techniques made it possible to remove surgical hardware from original images with minimal loss of original PQCT data. Volumes were calculated and normalized to gray-scale of total bone throughout individual selected segments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using public domain software is a cost effective means to view, process, and manipulate PQCT data. Bone macro-architecture can provide quantitative volumetric contributions to ascertain the role of structure on mechanical function.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Bioengineering Research Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kovach
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Eschbach
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Wheeler
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012756:Sheep; D012984:Software; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*