Semi-automatic motion compensation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound images from abdominal organs for perfusion analysis

Comput Biol Med. 2015 Aug:63:229-37. doi: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2014.09.014. Epub 2014 Oct 17.

Abstract

This paper presents a system for correcting motion influences in time-dependent 2D contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) images to assess tissue perfusion characteristics. The system consists of a semi-automatic frame selection method to find images with out-of-plane motion as well as a method for automatic motion compensation. Translational and non-rigid motion compensation is applied by introducing a temporal continuity assumption. A study consisting of 40 clinical datasets was conducted to compare the perfusion with simulated perfusion using pharmacokinetic modeling. Overall, the proposed approach decreased the mean average difference between the measured perfusion and the pharmacokinetic model estimation. It was non-inferior for three out of four patient cohorts to a manual approach and reduced the analysis time by 41% compared to manual processing.

Keywords: CEUS; Contrast-enhanced ultrasound; Motion analysis; Motion compensation; Perfusion; Perfusion modeling; Registration; Ultrasonography.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / diagnostic imaging*
  • Contrast Media / administration & dosage*
  • Crohn Disease / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cystic Fibrosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Databases, Factual*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Male
  • Motion
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Contrast Media