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Abstract #3166

Analysis of Tractography Biases Introduced by Anisotropic Voxels

Peter F. Neher1, Bram Stieltjes2, Ivo Wolf3, Hans-Peter Meinzer1, Klaus Hermann Fritzsche1, 2

1Medical and Biological Informatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; 2Quantitative Image-based Disease Characterization, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; 3Medical Informatics, Mannheim University, Mannheim, Germany

In research settings it is common practice to acquire diffusion weighted images with an isotropic resolution. In contrast, clinical datasets are often acquired with a relatively high in-plane resolution of about 1-2 mm but much thicker slices (2-5 mm). The impact of such anisotropic image resolutions on the outcome of fiber tractography has not been systematically analyzed yet. This work uses software phantom data to quantify the impact of anisotropic voxels on nine different publicly available and commonly used algorithms.

Keywords

acquisition algorithmic allowing almost although amount amplified analyzed anisotropic anisotropy approaches available axis biases biological brain branching cancer capability characterization clinical combination common commonly configurations consistent corrected cortex course critical datasets deal decreased degree depicted deterministic differentiated disease distinct distinctly eliminated enabling especially evaluated even fact fiber fibers filter findings future general generated global gradient highly human impact implementing important in vivo increasing indicate informatics insight intra introduced irreversible isotropic issue lateral like little living lost medical mentioned merely modeling motor must natively nine often ones outcome parametrization parts pathways percentage peter phantom planning practice probabilistic prototype publicly quantify quantitative quite ranging reaching realistic recommendable reduced relatively resection resolution respectively schemes seed selected selection settings setup simple simulating slice slices software somewhat sophisticated spreading strand strands streamline streamlining striking strong structure suboptimal superior surgery synthetic target tensor thereby thicker third though threshold tracked tracking verify versa vertical vice white widespread wolf yield yielded