MRI head segmentation for object based volume visualization

Abstract

In this paper, we present a new image segmentation approach for MRI of the head, which is a semi-automatic process. Unlike automatic segmentation or manual segmentation, the semi-automatic segmentation approach is a robust and interactive segmentation process. This approach carries out 3D volume data segmentation based on 2D image slices. By utilising the user-provided image mask, including areas of interest or structural information, the semi-automatic segmentation process can generate a new segmented volume dataset and structural information. The object based volume visualization method can use this segmented dataset and structural information to perform structure based manipulation and visualization, which cannot be achieved using a normal volume rendering method.