title: Stochastic rank correlation: a robust merit function for 2D/3D registration of image data obtained at different energies.
abstract: In this article, the authors evaluate a merit function for 2D/3D registration called stochastic rank correlation (SRC). SRC is characterized by the fact that differences in image intensity do not influence the registration result; it therefore combines the numerical advantages of cross correlation (CC)-type merit functions with the flexibility of mutual-information-type merit functions. The basic idea is that registration is achieved on a random subset of the image, which allows for an efficient computation of Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. This measure is, by nature, invariant to monotonic intensity transforms in the images under comparison, which renders it an ideal solution for intramodal images acquired at different energy levels as encountered in intrafractional kV imaging in image-guided radiotherapy. Initial evaluation was undertaken using a 2D/3D registration reference image dataset of a cadaver spine. Even with no radiometric calibration, SRC shows a significant improvement in robustness and stability compared to CC. Pattern intensity, another merit function that was evaluated for comparison, gave rather poor results due to its limited convergence range. The time required for SRC with 5% image content compares well to the other merit functions; increasing the image content does not significantly influence the algorithm accuracy. The authors conclude that SRC is a promising measure for 2D/3D registration in IGRT and image-guided therapy in general.
authors.affiliation: Center for Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20 AKH 4L, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. wolfgang.birkfellner@meduniwien.ac.at
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Birkfellner
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stock
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Figl
authors.forename: Christelle
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gendrin
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hummel
authors.forename: Shuo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kettenbach
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Georg
authors.forename: Helmar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bergmann
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012015:Reference Standards; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013269:Stochastic Processes; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed