title: Vessel labeling in combined confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography images: criteria for blood vessel discrimination.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnostic potential of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in neurological diseases is intensively discussed. Besides the sectional view of the retina, modern OCT scanners produce a simultaneous top-view confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO) image including the option to evaluate retinal vessels. A correct discrimination between arteries and veins (labeling) is vital for detecting vascular differences between healthy subjects and patients. Up to now, criteria for labeling (cSLO) images generated by OCT scanners do not exist.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study reviewed labeling criteria originally developed for color fundus photography (CFP) images.
  
  
  METHODS
  The criteria were modified to reflect the cSLO technique, followed by development of a protocol for labeling blood vessels. These criteria were based on main aspects such as central light reflex, brightness, and vessel thickness, as well as on some additional criteria such as vascular crossing patterns and the context of the vessel tree.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  They demonstrated excellent inter-rater agreement and validity, which seems to indicate that labeling of images might no longer require more than one rater. This algorithm extends the diagnostic possibilities offered by OCT investigations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Muenster Medical Center, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Jeremias
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Motte
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Muenster Medical Center, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alten
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Muenster Medical Center, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Carina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ewering
authors.affiliation: Institution of Medical Informatics, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Nani
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Osada
authors.affiliation: NeuroCure Clinical Research Center and Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité University Medicine Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Ella M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Kadas
authors.affiliation: NeuroCure Clinical Research Center and Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité University Medicine Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander U
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.affiliation: NeuroCure Clinical Research Center and Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité University Medicine Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Timm
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oberwahrenbrock
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Muenster Medical Center, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Clemens
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Muenster Medical Center, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eter
authors.affiliation: NeuroCure Clinical Research Center and Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité University Medicine Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Friedemann
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Muenster Medical Center, Muenster, Germany; Department of Neurology, Isar-Amper-Klinikum, Haar, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marziniak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*; D014680:Veins