|
|
Multi-tensor imaging of spinal cord detail from high anglular resolution dMRI data
Zimolka, Jakub ; Starčuk, Zenon (referee) ; Labounek, René (advisor)
The aim of this work was to establish a comprehensive processing pipeline of cervical spinal cord HARDI dMRI data and T2-weighted anatomical MRI images in high-resolution. In the research part we provide description of anatomical data processing, theoretical background of dMRI, description of current approaches to 3D anisotropic diffusion estimation as well as current imaging methods of spinal cord axonal bundles. As one of the first in the world, we are investigating multiple-direction diffusion models for human in-vivo spinal cord white matter minority bundles imaging. We designed our own processing pipeline utilizing Spinal Cord Toolbox (SCT), FSL, in-house developer scripts and TORQUE-based batch system for grid computation, tested on real data from cervical spinal cord area between segments C4-C6 from 26 healthy volunteers. Designed processing pipeline with one non-automatic step, works from pre-processing to parcelation of selected spinal cord structures based on co-registration with anatomical spinal cord template for 25 subjects. One person data includes motion artifacts for which the proces failed. There are visible waves in sagittal images of some subjects caused probably by blood-vessel pulsing. Local quantification metrics of spinal cord anatomy (fractional anisotropy – FA, fractional volumes of first – f1 and second – f2 direction of anisotropic diffusion) from different parts (white matter, gray matter, cortico-spinal tract) and from different population groups (men vs. women), were extracted from dMRI data. As we expected, FA maps show visible decreases in areas of gray matter. We also detected second diffusion dirrection in slices, where the spinal roots come out. In some areas, fractional volume of second diffusion direction reaches up to 40% of the total component of the dMRI signal. All mentioned parameters probability density functions for all mentioned groups are non-normal distributions. Between male and female groups there were no significant distribution differences for f1 and f2 volumes. The distribution of FA values between men and women is statistically different. Unfortunatelly, there is a significant inter-subject variability in results, which has much higher dispersion than differences between different group distributions. Despite the inter-subject variability, this work significantly extends the knowledge about data acquisiton capabilities and MRI and dMRI data from cervical spinal cord image processing. This work also lays down foundations for utilization of the imaging method in future and planned clinical research, where it will be possible to test the alteration of the spinal cord anatomy on the minor secondary bundles separately.
|
|
|
Simulations of synthetic diffusion MRI data based on Brownian motion
Valla, Radek ; Mikl, Michal (referee) ; Labounek, René (advisor)
This master thesis focuses on dMRI (diffusion magnetic resonance imaging) and its dependance on diffusion in human brain tissue. It is described how to retrieve an image from gained data and its properties, advantages and disadvantages. It mentions problem in detecting kissing fibres due to its similarity with crossing fibres. Design of mathematical models of axons is decribed and suggested measurement to detect difference in signals for kissing and crossing fibres. It describes new simulator of diffusion-weighted MRI (dMRI) data which is able to generate it based on random walk algorithm with geometrical constraints not only for crossing fiber geometry, but also as o novelty for bending and kissing fiber geometries. This study contains results of simulations and disscusion about their usefulness with suggestions for simulator improvement. Simulated dMRI data shows significant difference in certain gradients. Data reconstruction shows, that these reults cannot be reconstructed into the same geometry as it was simulated for.
|
|
|
Tracking of axonal bundles in diffusion MRI brain images
Piskořová, Zuzana ; Vojtíšek, Lubomír (referee) ; Labounek, René (advisor)
The aim of this thesis is to design tracking algorithm which will be able to track white matter bundles in diffusion MRI data, this problem is called tractography. Tractography is feasible because specific profile of diffusion appears in white matter. The introduction to the topic includes summary of methods for estimation of diffusion profile and basic tracking algorithms. In this work diffusion tensor model (DTI) was used for estimation of diffusion profile. Based on the DTI, vector field characterizing direction of diffusion for every voxel was created. Combining vector field with seedpoint, we achieved task solvable by Euler or Runge-Kutta method. Termination criteria were established for maximum curvature of trajectory and minimum value of fractional anisotropy (FA). Algorithm was tested on mathematical and tractographical phantom before it was used on real biological data. The results of tracking on phantoms proved the funcionality of the algorithm. Expected error appeared in areas of crossing fibers, it is related to DTI model limitations. To solve problematic fibers characterized by seedpoint near the border of the fiber, FA-weighted trilinear interpolation was designed. Implementation of this algorithm, however, did not cause better results. The results of tracking on the real data were controversial. Tracking was performed on 5 healthy subjects and 4 anatomicaly specific tracts. The results were compared with tractographic atlas.
|
|
|
Multi-tensor imaging of spinal cord detail from high anglular resolution dMRI data
Zimolka, Jakub ; Starčuk, Zenon (referee) ; Labounek, René (advisor)
The aim of this work was to establish a comprehensive processing pipeline of cervical spinal cord HARDI dMRI data and T2-weighted anatomical MRI images in high-resolution. In the research part we provide description of anatomical data processing, theoretical background of dMRI, description of current approaches to 3D anisotropic diffusion estimation as well as current imaging methods of spinal cord axonal bundles. As one of the first in the world, we are investigating multiple-direction diffusion models for human in-vivo spinal cord white matter minority bundles imaging. We designed our own processing pipeline utilizing Spinal Cord Toolbox (SCT), FSL, in-house developer scripts and TORQUE-based batch system for grid computation, tested on real data from cervical spinal cord area between segments C4-C6 from 26 healthy volunteers. Designed processing pipeline with one non-automatic step, works from pre-processing to parcelation of selected spinal cord structures based on co-registration with anatomical spinal cord template for 25 subjects. One person data includes motion artifacts for which the proces failed. There are visible waves in sagittal images of some subjects caused probably by blood-vessel pulsing. Local quantification metrics of spinal cord anatomy (fractional anisotropy – FA, fractional volumes of first – f1 and second – f2 direction of anisotropic diffusion) from different parts (white matter, gray matter, cortico-spinal tract) and from different population groups (men vs. women), were extracted from dMRI data. As we expected, FA maps show visible decreases in areas of gray matter. We also detected second diffusion dirrection in slices, where the spinal roots come out. In some areas, fractional volume of second diffusion direction reaches up to 40% of the total component of the dMRI signal. All mentioned parameters probability density functions for all mentioned groups are non-normal distributions. Between male and female groups there were no significant distribution differences for f1 and f2 volumes. The distribution of FA values between men and women is statistically different. Unfortunatelly, there is a significant inter-subject variability in results, which has much higher dispersion than differences between different group distributions. Despite the inter-subject variability, this work significantly extends the knowledge about data acquisiton capabilities and MRI and dMRI data from cervical spinal cord image processing. This work also lays down foundations for utilization of the imaging method in future and planned clinical research, where it will be possible to test the alteration of the spinal cord anatomy on the minor secondary bundles separately.
|
|
|
Tracking of axonal bundles in diffusion MRI brain images
Piskořová, Zuzana ; Vojtíšek, Lubomír (referee) ; Labounek, René (advisor)
The aim of this thesis is to design tracking algorithm which will be able to track white matter bundles in diffusion MRI data, this problem is called tractography. Tractography is feasible because specific profile of diffusion appears in white matter. The introduction to the topic includes summary of methods for estimation of diffusion profile and basic tracking algorithms. In this work diffusion tensor model (DTI) was used for estimation of diffusion profile. Based on the DTI, vector field characterizing direction of diffusion for every voxel was created. Combining vector field with seedpoint, we achieved task solvable by Euler or Runge-Kutta method. Termination criteria were established for maximum curvature of trajectory and minimum value of fractional anisotropy (FA). Algorithm was tested on mathematical and tractographical phantom before it was used on real biological data. The results of tracking on phantoms proved the funcionality of the algorithm. Expected error appeared in areas of crossing fibers, it is related to DTI model limitations. To solve problematic fibers characterized by seedpoint near the border of the fiber, FA-weighted trilinear interpolation was designed. Implementation of this algorithm, however, did not cause better results. The results of tracking on the real data were controversial. Tracking was performed on 5 healthy subjects and 4 anatomicaly specific tracts. The results were compared with tractographic atlas.
|
|
|
Simulations of synthetic diffusion MRI data based on Brownian motion
Valla, Radek ; Mikl, Michal (referee) ; Labounek, René (advisor)
This master thesis focuses on dMRI (diffusion magnetic resonance imaging) and its dependance on diffusion in human brain tissue. It is described how to retrieve an image from gained data and its properties, advantages and disadvantages. It mentions problem in detecting kissing fibres due to its similarity with crossing fibres. Design of mathematical models of axons is decribed and suggested measurement to detect difference in signals for kissing and crossing fibres. It describes new simulator of diffusion-weighted MRI (dMRI) data which is able to generate it based on random walk algorithm with geometrical constraints not only for crossing fiber geometry, but also as o novelty for bending and kissing fiber geometries. This study contains results of simulations and disscusion about their usefulness with suggestions for simulator improvement. Simulated dMRI data shows significant difference in certain gradients. Data reconstruction shows, that these reults cannot be reconstructed into the same geometry as it was simulated for.
|
guest ::
