PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - L A Johnson
AU  - J D Pearlman
AU  - C A Miller
AU  - T I Young
AU  - K R Thulborn
TI  - MR quantification of cerebral ventricular volume using a semiautomated algorithm.
DP  - 1993 Nov 01
TA  - American Journal of Neuroradiology
PG  - 1373--1378
VI  - 14
IP  - 6
4099  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/14/6/1373.short
4100  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/14/6/1373.full
SO  - Am. J. Neuroradiol.1993 Nov 01; 14
AB  - PURPOSE A semiautomated border identification algorithm, insensitive to user bias, is evaluated for accuracy and speed in the measurement of ventricular volumes from three-dimensional MR images.METHODS A three-dimensional gradient-echo technique was implemented on a Signa clinical imaging system. Data from phantoms and patients were analyzed for volume using a segmentation algorithm designed with: 1) correction for partial volume averaging; 2) insensitivity to user bias; and 3) speed. Accuracy, precision, and intra- and interobserver variability were determined.RESULTS Average error for phantom studies was 4% to 6%, or 1 to 2 cc across the volumes, which ranged from normal to mild hydrocephalus (< 60 cc). Patient studies showed intra- and interobserver error of 2.3% and 7.8%, respectively. The correction for partial volume averaging resulted in a threefold decrease in error. Data were acquired and reconstructed within 7 minutes. Experienced radiologists required less than 15 minutes to perform each analysis.CONCLUSIONS This algorithm allows accurate measurement of ventricular volumes in an efficient, minimally supervised manner.