title: Performance of an automated segmentation algorithm for 3D MR renography.
abstract: The accuracy and precision of an automated graph-cuts (GC) segmentation technique for dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) 3D MR renography (MRR) was analyzed using 18 simulated and 22 clinical datasets. For clinical data, the error was 7.2 +/- 6.1 cm(3) for the cortex and 6.5 +/- 4.6 cm(3) for the medulla. The precision of segmentation was 7.1 +/- 4.2 cm(3) for the cortex and 7.2 +/- 2.4 cm(3) for the medulla. Compartmental modeling of kidney function in 22 kidneys yielded a renal plasma flow (RPF) error of 7.5% +/- 4.5% and single-kidney GFR error of 13.5% +/- 8.8%. The precision was 9.7% +/- 6.4% for RPF and 14.8% +/- 11.9% for GFR. It took 21 min to segment one kidney using GC, compared to 2.5 hr for manual segmentation. The accuracy and precision in RPF and GFR appear acceptable for clinical use. With expedited image processing, DCE 3D MRR has the potential to expand our knowledge of renal function in individual kidneys and to help diagnose renal insufficiency in a safe and noninvasive manner.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA. hr18@nyu.edu
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rusinek
authors.forename: Yuri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Boykov
authors.forename: Manmeen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: Samson
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Louisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bokacheva
authors.forename: Jan B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Sajous
authors.forename: Ambrose J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: Vivian S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012079:Renal Circulation
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA