Realistic simulation of the 3-D growth of brain tumors in MR images coupling diffusion with biomechanical deformation.
We propose a new model to simulate the three-dimensional (3-D) growth of glioblastomas multiforma (GBMs), the most aggressive glial tumors. The GBM speed of growth depends on the invaded tissue: faster in white than in gray matter, it is stopped by the dura or the ventricles. These different structures are introduced into the model using an atlas matching technique. The atlas includes both the segmentations of anatomical structures and diffusion information in white matter fibers. We use the finite element method (FEM) to simulate the invasion of the GBM in the brain parenchyma and its mechanical interaction with the invaded structures (mass effect). Depending on the considered tissue, the former effect is modeled with a reaction-diffusion or a Gompertz equation, while the latter is based on a linear elastic brain constitutive equation. In addition, we propose a new coupling equation taking into account the mechanical influence of the tumor cells on the invaded tissues. The tumor growth simulation is assessed by comparing the in-silico GBM growth with the real growth observed on two magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of a patient acquired with 6 mo difference. Results show the feasibility of this new conceptual approach and justifies its further evaluation.
Clatz
Olivier
O
Epidaure Research Project, INRIA Sophia Antipolis, France. oliver.clatz@sophia.inria.fr
Sermesant
Maxime
M
Bondiau
Pierre-Yves
PY
Delingette
Hervé
H
Warfield
Simon K
SK
Malandain
Grégoire
G
Ayache
Nicholas
N
D000465:Algorithms; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000379:methods; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004548:Elasticity; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods; D008954:Models, Biological; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity