An automated method to evaluate the fat infiltration in tissues has been developed and applied to images of the human leg. The final aim is to obtain a quantitative evaluation of fat infiltration percentage and to relate it to the grade of muscle impairment in subjects affected by Neuro-Muscular Diseases (NMD). Through a muscle segmentation algorithm on structural T1-weighted magnetic resonance images (MRIs), the estimated non-muscle percentage (eNMP) in the segmented muscle area has been evaluated in healthy subjects as a reference value. A semi-automated procedure allows extending the algorithm to MRIs of NMD patients. A strong correlation has been demonstrated between the eNMP index and the disease severity.
Quantitative Scoring of Muscle Involvement in MRI of Neuromuscular Diseases
FANTACCI, MARIA EVELINA;R. Battini;
2015-01-01
Abstract
An automated method to evaluate the fat infiltration in tissues has been developed and applied to images of the human leg. The final aim is to obtain a quantitative evaluation of fat infiltration percentage and to relate it to the grade of muscle impairment in subjects affected by Neuro-Muscular Diseases (NMD). Through a muscle segmentation algorithm on structural T1-weighted magnetic resonance images (MRIs), the estimated non-muscle percentage (eNMP) in the segmented muscle area has been evaluated in healthy subjects as a reference value. A semi-automated procedure allows extending the algorithm to MRIs of NMD patients. A strong correlation has been demonstrated between the eNMP index and the disease severity.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.