Methodology for pediatric head computed tomography image segmentation and volumetric calculation using a tablet computer and stylus pen.

Abstract

Purpose: This study presents a MATrix LABoratory (MATLAB)-based methodology for calculating intracranial volumes from head computed tomography (CT) data and compares it with established methods.

Methods: Regions of interest (ROI) were manually segmented on CT images using a stylus pen, facilitated by mirroring a computer desktop onto a tablet. The volumetric process involved three main steps: (1) calculating the volume of a single voxel, (2) counting the total number of voxels within the segmented ROI, and (3) multiplying this voxel count by the single-voxel volume. This method was applied to 83 pediatric head CT scans from patients with minor head trauma, and the volumetric results were compared with those obtained from OsiriX.

Results: A paired t-test revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between volumes obtained with our MATLAB-based method and those from OsiriX, with our method measuring 0.32% higher. However, an unpaired t-test found no statistically significant differences between the volumetric population groups (p = 0.84).

Conclusion: The significant difference identified by the paired t-test likely reflects statistical distinctions arising from differences in the calculation methods of the two approaches. Conversely, the unpaired t-test suggests no statistically detectable differences between the volumetric populations. Although this does not imply that the two methods produce identical results, the volumetric populations derived from our method may originate from the same underlying population as those obtained using OsiriX. By taking these points into account, our method has the potential to serve as a valuable tool for volumetric measurements.