Analysis of 3-D Tongue Motion From Tagged and Cine Magnetic Resonance Images.
Measuring tongue deformation and internal muscle motion during speech has been a challenging task because the tongue deforms in 3 dimensions, contains interdigitated muscles, and is largely hidden within the vocal tract. In this article, a new method is proposed to analyze tagged and cine magnetic resonance images of the tongue during speech in order to estimate 3-dimensional tissue displacement and deformation over time.



The method involves computing 2-dimensional motion components using a standard tag-processing method called harmonic phase, constructing superresolution tongue volumes using cine magnetic resonance images, segmenting the tongue region using a random-walker algorithm, and estimating 3-dimensional tongue motion using an incompressible deformation estimation algorithm.



Evaluation of the method is presented with a control group and a group of people who had received a glossectomy carrying out a speech task. A 2-step principal-components analysis is then used to reveal the unique motion patterns of the subjects. Azimuth motion angles and motion on the mirrored hemi-tongues are analyzed.



Tests of the method with a various collection of subjects show its capability of capturing patient motion patterns and indicate its potential value in future speech studies.
Fangxu
F
Xing
Jonghye
J
Woo
Junghoon
J
Lee
Emi Z
EZ
Murano
Maureen
M
Stone
Jerry L
JL
Prince
D000465:Algorithms; D005927:Glossectomy; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine / Q000379:methods; D009038:Motion; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D014059:Tongue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery