High resolution, MRI-based, segmented, computerized head phantom

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:684487

Zubal, I G; Harrell, C R; Smith, E O; Smith, A L; Krischlunas, P ^[1]

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1. Yale Univ., New Haven, CT (United States). Dept. of Diagnostic Radiology

The authors have created a high-resolution software phantom of the human brain which is applicable to voxel-based radiation transport calculations yielding nuclear medicine simulated images and/or internal dose estimates. A software head phantom was created from 124 transverse MRI images of a healthy normal individual. The transverse T2 slices, recorded in a 256x256 matrix from a GE Signa 2 scanner, have isotropic voxel dimensions of 1.5 mm and were manually segmented by the clinical staff. Each voxel of the phantom contains one of 62 index numbers designating anatomical, neurological, and taxonomical structures. The result is stored as a 256x256x128 byte array. Internal volumes compare favorably to those described in the ICRP Reference Man. The computerized array represents a high resolution model of a typical human brain and serves as a voxel-based anthropomorphic head phantom suitable for computer-based modeling and simulation calculations. It offers an improved realism over previous mathematically described software brain phantoms, and creates a reference standard for comparing results of newly emerging voxel-based computations. Such voxel-based computations lead the way to developing diagnostic and dosimetry calculations which can utilize patient-specific diagnostic images. However, such individualized approaches lack fast, automatic segmentation schemes for routine use; therefore, the high resolution, typical head geometry gives the most realistic patient model currently available.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Associated Universities, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); National Insts. of Health, Bethesda, MD (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG02-88ER60724
• OSTI ID: 684487
• Report Number(s): ORISE--99-0164-Vol.1; CONF-960536--PROC.-Vol.1; ON: DE99002903
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DIAGNOSIS
DOSIMETRY
HEAD
MAN
NMR IMAGING
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
PHANTOMS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOTHERAPY