Many medical applications require or would benefit from automatic localization of tubular structures in medical images, e.g. nerves, vessels, etc. Recently, a particular algorithm was developed which has performed robustly in localizing two nerves in the ear, the facial nerve and chorda tympani. The structure of this algorithm is open to additional designs which could address some severe shortcomings in many current localization methods.
The specific aims of this project are thus to:(1) Further validate the performance of this algorithm on the facial nerve and chorda. The method has been tested on 14 CT's, taken from the same scanner, with very positive results in all cases. The method will be further validated by testing the accuracy of the algorithm on 60 CT's from four hospitals which will be made available from a current NIH funded project. (2) Develop software which automatically trains the algorithm. The algorithm must be trained once for each type of structure it is to localize. Currently, the training process is manual, very time consuming, and requires advanced image processing expertise.
This aim will be accomplished through extensive mathematical and image processing literature review, comprehensive error analysis of current methods in the field, and creative experimentation. Success will be gauged by acceptability of localization results and accuracy of localizations compared to those achieved through manual tuning. (3) Extend the technology to new applications. Localization results for the sigmoid sinus, carotid artery, optic nerves, optic chiasm, and the optic tracts will be examined. MR's and CT's will be acquired from 3 NIH funded projects. Interpretation of results will be assisted by experienced physicians in the field for which each structure is relevant. Anatomical structures included in this study are relevant to three applications. Researchers validating a new minimally invasive technique for placing cochlear implants have found that the new technique is much easier and safer when four structures in this study are localized and rendered in 3D. Physicians placing deep brain stimulators have found that localization of the optic tracts would enhance electrode placement. Physicians treating head cancers with radiotherapy require accurate localization of the optic nerves, tracts, and chiasm to ensure safety from harmful effects. ? ? PULIC

Public Health Relevance

The results of this project have the potential to provide physicians with anatomical information that will make cochlear implantation safer and a more available treatment for deafness, increase safety and efficiency in the placement of deep brain stimulators for treatment of Parkinson's, increase safety in the treatment of cancer by guided radiotherapy, and benefit many other applications not addressed in this study. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31DC009791-01
Application #
7545744
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F15-V (20))
Program Officer
Cyr, Janet
Project Start
2008-07-01
Project End
2012-06-30
Budget Start
2008-07-01
Budget End
2009-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$40,579
Indirect Cost
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Engineering (All Types)
Type
Schools of Engineering
DUNS #
004413456
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37212
Pelosi, Stanley; Noble, Jack H; Dawant, Benoit M et al. (2013) Analysis of intersubject variations in intracochlear and middle ear surface anatomy for cochlear implantation. Otol Neurotol 34:1675-80
Noble, Jack H; Dawant, Benoit M (2011) A new approach for tubular structure modeling and segmentation using graph-based techniques. Med Image Comput Comput Assist Interv 14:305-12
Noble, Jack H; Dawant, Benoit M (2011) An atlas-navigated optimal medial axis and deformable model algorithm (NOMAD) for the segmentation of the optic nerves and chiasm in MR and CT images. Med Image Anal 15:877-84
Noble, Jack H; Schuman, Theodore A; Wright, Charles G et al. (2011) Automatic Identification of Cochlear Implant Electrode Arrays for Post-Operative Assessment. Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng 7962:
Noble, Jack H; Labadie, Robert F; Majdani, Omid et al. (2011) Automatic segmentation of intracochlear anatomy in conventional CT. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 58:2625-32
Reda, Fitsum A; Noble, Jack H; Rivas, Alejandro et al. (2011) Automatic segmentation of the facial nerve and chorda tympani in pediatric CT scans. Med Phys 38:5590-600
Noble, Jack H; Majdani, Omid; Labadie, Robert F et al. (2010) Automatic determination of optimal linear drilling trajectories for cochlear access accounting for drill-positioning error. Int J Med Robot 6:281-90
Schuman, Theodore A; Noble, Jack H; Wright, Charles G et al. (2010) Anatomic verification of a novel method for precise intrascalar localization of cochlear implant electrodes in adult temporal bones using clinically available computed tomography. Laryngoscope 120:2277-83
Noble, Jack H; Warren, Frank M; Labadie, Robert F et al. (2008) Automatic segmentation of the facial nerve and chorda tympani in CT images using spatially dependent feature values. Med Phys 35:5375-84