Visualizing neuronal structures in the human brain via diffusion tensor MRI.
Acquisition, analysis, and visualization of diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) is still an evolving technology. This article reviews the fundamentals of the data acquisition process and the pipeline leading to visual results that are interpretable by physicians in their clinical practice. The limitations of common approaches for visualizing the retrieved data are discussed and a new statistical method is presented to assess the reliability of the acquired tensor field. A novel visualization method is proposed which is discussed in light of neurophysiological considerations of the perception of colored patterns. It is argued that this method is more accurate for medical data while providing a nearly optimal visual stimulus. The method is evaluated on a patient study with a brain tumor.
Benger
Werner
W
Center for Computation & Technology at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA. benger@zib.de
Bartsch
Hauke
H
Hege
Hans-Christian
HC
Kitzler
Hagen
H
Shumilina
Anna
A
Werner
Annett
A
D000328:Adult; D016880:Anisotropy; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D018302:Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial / Q000175:diagnosis; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology