Segmentation of 3D RF echocardiography using a multiframe spatio-temporal predictor

Inf Process Med Imaging. 2011:22:37-48. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-22092-0_4.

Abstract

We present an approach for segmenting left ventricular endocardial boundaries from RF ultrasound. Segmentation is achieved jointly using an independent identically distributed (i.i.d.) spatial model for RF intensity and a multiframe conditional model. The conditional model relates neighboring frames in the image sequence by means of a computationally efficient linear predictor that exploits spatio-temporal coherence in the data. Segmentation using the RF data overcomes problems due to image inhomogeneities often amplified in B-mode segmentation and provides geometric constraints for RF phase-based speckle tracking. The incorporation of multiple frames in the conditional model significantly increases the robustness and accuracy of the algorithm. Results are generated using between 2 and 5 frames of RF data for each segmentation and are validated by comparison with manual tracings and automated B-mode boundary detection using standard (Chan and Vese-based) level sets on echocardiographic images from 27 3D sequences acquired from 6 canine studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Animals
  • Dogs
  • Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Pattern Recognition, Automated / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity