title: Three-dimensional Vocal Tract Morphology Based on Multiple Magnetic Resonance Images Is Highly Reproducible During Sustained Phonation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The extraction of a three-dimensional (3D) morphology of the human vocal tract (VT) from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during sustained phonation can be used for various analyses like numerical simulations or creating physical models. The precision of visualizing techniques nowadays allows for very targeted acoustical simulation evaluating the influence of subsections of the VT for the transfer function. The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of the 3D geometry based on MRI data in repetitive trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four experienced singers underwent an MRI while repeating a specific vocal task 20 times consecutively. Audio recordings were made by means of an optical microphone. Images were restacked and subsections of the VT were segmented on multi-image-based cross sections using a semiautomatic algorithm. Different volume and area measures were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A high reproducibility of the morphologic data based on multiple images by means of the applied segmentation method could be shown with an overall variation of around 8%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3D modeling of the VT during sustained phonation involves a complex experimental setting and elaborate image processing techniques. Functional comparative analysis or acoustical simulations based on such data should take the found variability into account.
authors.affiliation: Division of Phoniatrics and Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Voice Research Laboratory, Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber, Dresden, Germany. Electronic address: alexander.mainka@uniklinikum-dresden.de.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mainka
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Platzek
authors.affiliation: Division of Phoniatrics and Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Voice Research Laboratory, Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Willy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mattheus
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fleischer
authors.affiliation: Division of Phoniatrics and Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Ann-Sophie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Division of Phoniatrics and Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Voice Research Laboratory, Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mürbe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010699:Phonation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 3D; MRI; Phonation; Reproducibility; Vocal tract