Computer-assisted automatic localization of the human pedunculopontine nucleus in T1-weighted MR images: a preliminary study.
BACKGROUND
The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is a new promising target of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. This study was to develop a method of computer-assisted automatic localization of the PPN in T1-weighted MR images.


METHODS
A 3D template of a segment of the brainstem containing the PPN was constructed. A knowledge-based, hierarchical method of template-to-subject registration was proposed to register the template to the subject's data to locate the subject's PPN.


RESULTS
Experiments were performed with both T1-weighted and proton density MR images acquired from 12 people. Preliminary results show that the proposed method can locate the PPN with an error of 1.83 +/- 0.42 mm for its rostral pole and 1.57 +/- 0.34 mm for its caudal pole.


CONCLUSIONS
The proposed method is automatic, robust and accurate in the localization of the PPN, which demonstrates utility for preoperative surgical planning.
Fu
Yili
Y
State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China.
Gao
Wenpeng
W
Zhu
Minwei
M
Chen
Xiaoguang
X
Lin
Zhiguo
Z
Wang
Shuguo
S
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D045042:Pedunculopontine Tegmental Nucleus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult