@article{WeigertPietrzykMuelleretal., author = {Weigert, Markus and Pietrzyk, Uwe and M{\"u}ller, Stefan P. and Palm, Christoph and Beyer, Thomas}, title = {Whole-body PET/CT imaging}, series = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Medizinische Physik}, volume = {18}, journal = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Medizinische Physik}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1016/j.zemedi.2007.07.004}, pages = {59 -- 66}, abstract = {Aim Combined whole-body (WB) PET/CT imaging provides better overall co-registration compared to separate CT and PET. However, in clinical routine local PET-CT mis-registration cannot be avoided. Thus, the reconstructed PET tracer distribution may be biased when using the misaligned CT transmission data for CT-based attenuation correction (CT-AC). We investigate the feasibility of retrospective co-registration techniques to align CT and PET images prior to CT-AC, thus improving potentially the quality of combined PET/CT imaging in clinical routine. Methods First, using a commercial software registration package CT images were aligned to the uncorrected PET data by rigid and non-rigid registration methods. Co-registration accuracy of both alignment approaches was assessed by reviewing the PET tracer uptake patterns (visual, linked cursor display) following attenuation correction based on the original and co-registered CT. Second, we investigated non-rigid registration based on a prototype ITK implementation of the B-spline algorithm on a similar targeted MR-CT registration task, there showing promising results. Results Manual rigid, landmark-based co-registration introduced unacceptable misalignment, in particular in peripheral areas of the whole-body images. Manual, non-rigid landmark-based co-registration prior to CT-AC was successful with minor loco-regional distortions. Nevertheless, neither rigid nor non-rigid automatic co-registration based on the Mutual Information image to image metric succeeded in co-registering the CT and noAC-PET images. In contrast to widely available commercial software registration our implementation of an alternative automated, non-rigid B-spline co-registration technique yielded promising results in this setting with MR-CT data. Conclusion In clinical PET/CT imaging, retrospective registration of CT and uncorrected PET images may improve the quality of the AC-PET images. As of today no validated and clinically viable commercial registration software is in routine use. This has triggered our efforts in pursuing new approaches to a validated, non-rigid co-registration algorithm applicable to whole-body PET/CT imaging of which first results are presented here. This approach appears suitable for applications in retrospective WB-PET/CT alignment. Ziel Kombinierte PET/CT-Bildgebung erm{\"o}glicht verbesserte Koregistrierung von PET- und CT-Daten gegen{\"u}ber separat akquirierten Bildern. Trotzdem entstehen in der klinischen Anwendung lokale Fehlregistrierungen, die zu Fehlern in der rekonstruierten PET- Tracerverteilung f{\"u}hren k{\"o}nnen, falls die unregistrierten CT-Daten zur Schw{\"a}chungskorrektur (AC) der Emissionsdaten verwendet werden. Wir untersuchen daher die Anwendung von Bildregistrierungsalgorithmen vor der CT-basierten AC zur Verbesserung der PET-Aufnahmen. Methoden Mittels einer kommerziellen Registrierungssoftware wurden die CT-Daten eines PET/CT- Tomographen durch landmarken- und intensit{\"a}tsbasierte rigide (starre) und nicht-rigide Registrierungsverfahren r{\"a}umlich an die unkorrigierten PET-Emissionsdaten angepasst und zur AC verwendet. Zur Bewertung wurden die Tracerverteilungen in den PET-Bildern (vor AC, CT-AC, CT-AC nach Koregistrierung) visuell und mit Hilfe korrelierter Fadenkreuze verglichen. Zus{\"a}tzlich untersuchten wir die ITK-Implementierung der bekannten B-spline basierten, nicht-rigiden Registrierungsans{\"a}tze im Hinblick auf ihre Verwendbarkeit f{\"u}r die multimodale PET/CT-Ganzk{\"o}rperregistrierung. Ergebnisse Mittels landmarkenbasierter, nicht-rigider Registrierung konnte die Tracerverteilung in den PET-Daten lokal verbessert werden. Landmarkenbasierte rigide Registrierung f{\"u}hrte zu starker Fehlregistrierung in entfernten K{\"o}rperregionen. Automatische rigide und nicht-rigide Registrierung unter Verwendung der Mutual-Information-{\"A}hnlichkeitsmetrik versagte auf allen verwendeten Datens{\"a}tzen. Die automatische Registrierung mit B-spline-Funktionen zeigte vielversprechende Resultate in der Anwendung auf einem {\"a}hnlich gelagerten CT-MR-Registrierungsproblem. Fazit Retrospektive, nicht-rigide Registrierung unkorrigierter PET- und CT-Aufnahmen aus kombinierten Aufnahmensystemen vor der AC kann die Qualit{\"a}t von PET-Aufnahmen im klinischen Einsatz verbessern. Trotzdem steht bis heute im klinischen Alltag keine validierte, automatische Registrierungssoftware zur Verf{\"u}gung. Wir verfolgen dazu Ans{\"a}tze f{\"u}r validierte, nicht-rigide Bildregistrierung f{\"u}r den klinischen Einsatz und pr{\"a}sentieren erste Ergebnisse.}, subject = {Positronen-Emissions-Tomografie}, language = {en} } @article{DesernoHandelsMaierHeinetal., author = {Deserno, Thomas M. and Handels, Heinz and Maier-Hein, Klaus H. and Mersmann, Sven and Palm, Christoph and Tolxdorff, Thomas and Wagenknecht, Gudrun and Wittenberg, Thomas}, title = {Viewpoints on Medical Image Processing}, series = {Current Medical Imaging Reviews}, volume = {9}, journal = {Current Medical Imaging Reviews}, number = {2}, doi = {10.2174/1573405611309020002}, pages = {79 -- 88}, abstract = {Medical image processing provides core innovation for medical imaging. This paper is focused on recent developments from science to applications analyzing the past fifteen years of history of the proceedings of the German annual meeting on medical image processing (BVM). Furthermore, some members of the program committee present their personal points of views: (i) multi-modality for imaging and diagnosis, (ii) analysis of diffusion-weighted imaging, (iii) model-based image analysis, (iv) registration of section images, (v) from images to information in digital endoscopy, and (vi) virtual reality and robotics. Medical imaging and medical image computing is seen as field of rapid development with clear trends to integrated applications in diagnostics, treatment planning and treatment.}, subject = {Bildgebendes Verfahren}, language = {en} } @article{PalmAxerGraesseletal., author = {Palm, Christoph and Axer, Markus and Gr{\"a}ßel, David and Dammers, J{\"u}rgen and Lindemeyer, Johannes and Zilles, Karl and Pietrzyk, Uwe and Amunts, Katrin}, title = {Towards ultra-high resolution fibre tract mapping of the human brain}, series = {Frontiers in Human Neuroscience}, volume = {4}, journal = {Frontiers in Human Neuroscience}, doi = {10.3389/neuro.09.009.2010}, pages = {9}, abstract = {Polarised light imaging (PLI) utilises the birefringence of the myelin sheaths in order to visualise the orientation of nerve fibres in microtome sections of adult human post-mortem brains at ultra-high spatial resolution. The preparation of post-mortem brains for PLI involves fixation, freezing and cutting into 100-μm-thick sections. Hence, geometrical distortions of histological sections are inevitable and have to be removed for 3D reconstruction and subsequent fibre tracking. We here present a processing pipeline for 3D reconstruction of these sections using PLI derived multimodal images of post-mortem brains. Blockface images of the brains were obtained during cutting; they serve as reference data for alignment and elimination of distortion artefacts. In addition to the spatial image transformation, fibre orientation vectors were reoriented using the transformation fields, which consider both affine and subsequent non-linear registration. The application of this registration and reorientation approach results in a smooth fibre vector field, which reflects brain morphology. PLI combined with 3D reconstruction and fibre tracking is a powerful tool for human brain mapping. It can also serve as an independent method for evaluating in vivo fibre tractography.}, subject = {Bildgebendes Verfahren}, language = {en} } @article{DammersAxerGraesseletal., author = {Dammers, J{\"u}rgen and Axer, Markus and Gr{\"a}ßel, David and Palm, Christoph and Zilles, Karl and Amunts, Katrin and Pietrzyk, Uwe}, title = {Signal enhancement in polarized light imaging by means of independent component analysis}, series = {NeuroImage}, volume = {49}, journal = {NeuroImage}, number = {2}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.08.059}, pages = {1241 -- 1248}, abstract = {Polarized light imaging (PLI) enables the evaluation of fiber orientations in histological sections of human postmortem brains, with ultra-high spatial resolution. PLI is based on the birefringent properties of the myelin sheath of nerve fibers. As a result, the polarization state of light propagating through a rotating polarimeter is changed in such a way that the detected signal at each measurement unit of a charged-coupled device (CCD) camera describes a sinusoidal signal. Vectors of the fiber orientation defined by inclination and direction angles can then directly be derived from the optical signals employing PLI analysis. However, noise, light scatter and filter inhomogeneities interfere with the original sinusoidal PLI signals. We here introduce a novel method using independent component analysis (ICA) to decompose the PLI images into statistically independent component maps. After decomposition, gray and white matter structures can clearly be distinguished from noise and other artifacts. The signal enhancement after artifact rejection is quantitatively evaluated in 134 histological whole brain sections. Thus, the primary sinusoidal signals from polarized light imaging can be effectively restored after noise and artifact rejection utilizing ICA. Our method therefore contributes to the analysis of nerve fiber orientation in the human brain within a micrometer scale.}, subject = {Bildgebendes Verfahren}, language = {en} } @article{AxerAmuntsGraesseletal., author = {Axer, Markus and Amunts, Katrin and Gr{\"a}ßel, David and Palm, Christoph and Dammers, J{\"u}rgen and Axer, Hubertus and Pietrzyk, Uwe and Zilles, Karl}, title = {Novel Approach to the Human Connectome}, series = {NeuroImage}, volume = {54}, journal = {NeuroImage}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.08.075}, pages = {1091 -- 1101}, abstract = {Signal transmission between different brain regions requires connecting fiber tracts, the structural basis of the human connectome. In contrast to animal brains, where a multitude of tract tracing methods can be used, magnetic resonance (MR)-based diffusion imaging is presently the only promising approach to study fiber tracts between specific human brain regions. However, this procedure has various inherent restrictions caused by its relatively low spatial resolution. Here, we introduce 3D-polarized light imaging (3D-PLI) to map the three-dimensional course of fiber tracts in the human brain with a resolution at a submillimeter scale based on a voxel size of 100 μm isotropic or less. 3D-PLI demonstrates nerve fibers by utilizing their intrinsic birefringence of myelin sheaths surrounding axons. This optical method enables the demonstration of 3D fiber orientations in serial microtome sections of entire human brains. Examples for the feasibility of this novel approach are given here. 3D-PLI enables the study of brain regions of intense fiber crossing in unprecedented detail, and provides an independent evaluation of fiber tracts derived from diffusion imaging data.}, subject = {Bildgebendes Verfahren}, language = {en} } @article{BeckerMatuschBeckeretal., author = {Becker, Johanna Sabine and Matusch, Andreas and Becker, Julia Susanne and Wu, Bei and Palm, Christoph and Becker, Albert Johann and Salber, Dagmar}, title = {Mass spectrometric imaging (MSI) of metals using advanced BrainMet techniques for biomedical research}, series = {International Journal of Mass Spectrometry}, volume = {307}, journal = {International Journal of Mass Spectrometry}, number = {1-3}, publisher = {eLSEVIER}, address = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijms.2011.01.015}, pages = {3 -- 15}, abstract = {Mass spectrometric imaging (MSI) is a young innovative analytical technique and combines different fields of advanced mass spectrometry and biomedical research with the aim to provide maps of elements and molecules, complexes or fragments. Especially essential metals such as zinc, copper, iron and manganese play a functional role in signaling, metabolism and homeostasis of the cell. Due to the high degree of spatial organization of metals in biological systems their distribution analysis is of key interest in life sciences. We have developed analytical techniques termed BrainMet using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) imaging to measure the distribution of trace metals in biological tissues for biomedical research and feasibility studies—including bioaccumulation and bioavailability studies, ecological risk assessment and toxicity studies in humans and other organisms. The analytical BrainMet techniques provide quantitative images of metal distributions in brain tissue slices which can be combined with other imaging modalities such as photomicrography of native or processed tissue (histochemistry, immunostaining) and autoradiography or with in vivo techniques such as positron emission tomography or magnetic resonance tomography. Prospective and instrumental developments will be discussed concerning the development of the metalloprotein microscopy using a laser microdissection (LMD) apparatus for specific sample introduction into an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LMD-ICP-MS) or an application of the near field effect in LA-ICP-MS (NF-LA-ICP-MS). These nano-scale mass spectrometric techniques provide improved spatial resolution down to the single cell level.}, subject = {Massenspektrometrie}, language = {en} } @article{MaierDesernoHandelsetal., author = {Maier, Andreas and Deserno, Thomas M. and Handels, Heinz and Maier-Hein, Klaus H. and Palm, Christoph and Tolxdorff, Thomas}, title = {IJCARS: BVM 2021 special issue}, series = {International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery}, volume = {16}, journal = {International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery}, publisher = {Springer}, doi = {10.1007/s11548-021-02534-7}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-21666}, pages = {2067 -- 2068}, abstract = {The German workshop on medical image computing (BVM) has been held in different locations in Germany for more than 20 years. In terms of content, BVM focused on the computer-aided analysis of medical image data with a wide range of applications, e.g. in the area of imaging, diagnostics, operation planning, computer-aided intervention and visualization. During this time, there have been remarkable methodological developments and upheavals, on which the BVM community has worked intensively. The area of machine learning should be emphasized, which has led to significant improvements, especially for tasks of classification and segmentation, but increasingly also in image formation and registration. As a result, work in connection with deep learning now dominates the BVM. These developments have also contributed to the establishment of medical image processing at the interface between computer science and medicine as one of the key technologies for the digitization of the health system. In addition to the presentation of current research results, a central aspect of the BVM is primarily the promotion of young scientists from the diverse BVM community, covering not only Germany but also Austria, Switzerland, The Netherland and other European neighbors. The conference serves primarily doctoral students and postdocs, but also students with excellent bachelor and master theses as a platform to present their work, to enter into professional discourse with the community, and to establish networks with specialist colleagues. Despite the many conferences and congresses that are also relevant for medical image processing, the BVM has therefore lost none of its importance and attractiveness and has retained its permanent place in the annual conference rhythm. Building on this foundation, there are some innovations and changes this year. The BVM 2021 was organized for the first time at the Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg (OTH Regensburg, a technical university of applied sciences). After Aachen, Berlin, Erlangen, Freiburg, Hamburg, Heidelberg, Leipzig, L{\"u}beck, and Munich, Regensburg is not just a new venue. OTH Regensburg is the first representative of the universities of applied sciences (HAW) to organize the conference, which differs to universities, university hospitals, or research centers like Fraunhofer or Helmholtz. This also considers the further development of the research landscape in Germany, where HAWs increasingly contribute to applied research in addition to their focus on teaching. This development is also reflected in the contributions submitted to the BVM in recent years. At BVM 2021, which was held in a virtual format for the first time due to the Corona pandemic, an attractive and high-quality program was offered. Fortunately, the number of submissions increased significantly. Out of 97 submissions, 26 presentations, 51 posters and 5 software demonstrations were accepted via an anonymized reviewing process with three reviews each. The three best works have been awarded BVM prizes, selected by a separate committee. Based on these high-quality submissions, we are able to present another special issue in the International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery (IJCARS). Out of the 97 submissions, the ones with the highest scores have been invited to submit an extended version of their paper to be presented in IJCARS. As a result, we are now able to present this special issue with seven excellent articles. Many submissions focus on machine learning in a medical context.}, subject = {Bildgebendes Verfahren}, language = {en} } @article{PalmVietenSalberetal., author = {Palm, Christoph and Vieten, Andrea and Salber, Dagmar and Pietrzyk, Uwe}, title = {Evaluation of Registration Strategies for Multi-modality Images of Rat Brain Slices}, series = {Physics in Medicine and Biology}, volume = {54}, journal = {Physics in Medicine and Biology}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1088/0031-9155/54/10/021}, pages = {3269 -- 3289}, abstract = {In neuroscience, small-animal studies frequently involve dealing with series of images from multiple modalities such as histology and autoradiography. The consistent and bias-free restacking of multi-modality image series is obligatory as a starting point for subsequent non-rigid registration procedures and for quantitative comparisons with positron emission tomography (PET) and other in vivo data. Up to now, consistency between 2D slices without cross validation using an inherent 3D modality is frequently presumed to be close to the true morphology due to the smooth appearance of the contours of anatomical structures. However, in multi-modality stacks consistency is difficult to assess. In this work, consistency is defined in terms of smoothness of neighboring slices within a single modality and between different modalities. Registration bias denotes the distortion of the registered stack in comparison to the true 3D morphology and shape. Based on these metrics, different restacking strategies of multi-modality rat brain slices are experimentally evaluated. Experiments based on MRI-simulated and real dual-tracer autoradiograms reveal a clear bias of the restacked volume despite quantitatively high consistency and qualitatively smooth brain structures. However, different registration strategies yield different inter-consistency metrics. If no genuine 3D modality is available, the use of the so-called SOP (slice-order preferred) or MOSOP (modality-and-slice-order preferred) strategy is recommended.}, subject = {Histologie}, language = {en} } @article{HuttererHattingenPalmetal., author = {Hutterer, Markus and Hattingen, Elke and Palm, Christoph and Proescholdt, Martin Andreas and Hau, Peter}, title = {Current standards and new concepts in MRI and PET response assessment of antiangiogenic therapies in high-grade glioma patients}, series = {Neuro-Oncology}, volume = {17}, journal = {Neuro-Oncology}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1093/neuonc/nou322}, pages = {784 -- 800}, abstract = {Despite multimodal treatment, the prognosis of high-grade gliomas is grim. As tumor growth is critically dependent on new blood vessel formation, antiangiogenic treatment approaches offer an innovative treatment strategy. Bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody, has been in the spotlight of antiangiogenic approaches for several years. Currently, MRI including contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and T2/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images is routinely used to evaluate antiangiogenic treatment response (Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria). However, by restoring the blood-brain barrier, bevacizumab may reduce T1 contrast enhancement and T2/FLAIR hyperintensity, thereby obscuring the imaging-based detection of progression. The aim of this review is to highlight the recent role of imaging biomarkers from MR and PET imaging on measurement of disease progression and treatment effectiveness in antiangiogenic therapies. Based on the reviewed studies, multimodal imaging combining standard MRI with new physiological MRI techniques and metabolic PET imaging, in particular amino acid tracers, may have the ability to detect antiangiogenic drug susceptibility or resistance prior to morphological changes. As advances occur in the development of therapies that target specific biochemical or molecular pathways and alter tumor physiology in potentially predictable ways, the validation of physiological and metabolic imaging biomarkers will become increasingly important in the near future.}, subject = {Gliom}, language = {en} } @article{BeckerZoriyMatuschetal., author = {Becker, Johanna Sabine and Zoriy, Miroslav and Matusch, Andreas and Wu, Bei and Salber, Dagmar and Palm, Christoph and Becker, Julia Susanne}, title = {Bioimaging of Metals by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)}, series = {Mass Spectrometry Reviews}, volume = {29}, journal = {Mass Spectrometry Reviews}, doi = {10.1002/mas.20239}, pages = {156 -- 175}, abstract = {The distribution analysis of (essential, beneficial, or toxic) metals (e.g., Cu, Fe, Zn, Pb, and others), metalloids, and non-metals in biological tissues is of key interest in life science. Over the past few years, the development and application of several imaging mass spectrometric techniques has been rapidly growing in biology and medicine. Especially, in brain research metalloproteins are in the focus of targeted therapy approaches of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, or stroke, or tumor growth. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) using double-focusing sector field (LA-ICP-SFMS) or quadrupole-based mass spectrometers (LA-ICP-QMS) has been successfully applied as a powerful imaging (mapping) technique to produce quantitative images of detailed regionally specific element distributions in thin tissue sections of human or rodent brain. Imaging LA-ICP-QMS was also applied to investigate metal distributions in plant and animal sections to study, for example, the uptake and transport of nutrient and toxic elements or environmental contamination. The combination of imaging LA-ICP-MS of metals with proteomic studies using biomolecular mass spectrometry identifies metal-containing proteins and also phosphoproteins. Metal-containing proteins were imaged in a two-dimensional gel after electrophoretic separation of proteins (SDS or Blue Native PAGE). Recent progress in LA-ICP-MS imaging as a stand-alone technique and in combination with MALDI/ESI-MS for selected life science applications is summarized.}, subject = {Bildgebendes Verfahren}, language = {en} }