3D Reconstructions of the Cerebral Ventricles and Volume Quantification in Children with Brain Malformations

Giesel, Frederik L.; Hart, Anthony R.; Hahn, Horst K.; Wignall, Emma; Rengier, Fabian; Talanow, Roland; Wilkinson, Iain D.; Zechmann, Christian M.; Weber, Marc-Andrè; Kauczor, H.U.; Essig, Marco; Griffiths, Paul D.

doi:10.1016/j.acra.2008.11.010

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Volume 16, Issue 5 , Pages 610-617, May 2009

3D Reconstructions of the Cerebral Ventricles and Volume Quantification in Children with Brain Malformations

Department of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, INF 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany (F.L.G., F.R., C.M.Z., M.-A.W., H.U.K., M.E.); Department of Nuklear Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany (F.L.G.); the Academic Unit of Radiology, University of Sheffield, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom (F.L.G., A.R.H., E.W., I.D.W., P.D.G.); the Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany (F.L.G.); the Neonatal Unit, Jessop Wing, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom (A.R.H.); MeVis, Center for Medical Diagnostic Systems and Visualization, Bremen, Germany (H.K.H.); and the Department of Radiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH (R.T.)

Received 1 June 2008; accepted 11 November 2008.

Rationale and Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the ability of a semiautomated process to produce three-dimensional reconstructions of the ventricles and calculate ventricular volumes from magnetic resonance (MR) imaging data in children with structural brain abnormalities.

Materials and Methods

Fourteen children referred for MR imaging of the brain for neurologic symptoms were selected. Seven participants had structural brain abnormalities on MR imaging; seven further participants were age-matched controls with normal brain morphology. MR imaging included T1-weighted volumetric images in all cases. Semiautomated postprocessing techniques were performed on the MR imaging data to generate three-dimensional reconstructions of the ventricles. These were analyzed for morphologic changes, and volumes were calculated. Inter- and intrarater agreement of ventricular volumes were calculated.

Results

This technique produced detailed three-dimensional reconstructions of the ventricles, even in children with grossly abnormal ventricular morphology. All MR imaging data were successfully postprocessed in <5 minutes. Inter- and intrarater reliability was excellent, with correlation coefficients of 0.99 and 0.92, respectively.

Conclusion

This methodology can create detailed three-dimensional visualizations and volumetric measurements of morphologically abnormal ventricles. This technique could help physicians and parents comprehend abnormal ventricular anatomy better and may have future clinical uses in monitoring disease progression or neurosurgical planning.

Key Words: Pediatrics, development, congenital malformation ventricles, three-dimensional visualization, three-dimensional print