Topology correction for brain atlas segmentation

Abstract

Topological correctness of 3D human brain structures is an important prerequisite for brain atlas deformation and surface flattening. Our topology correction method uses an axis-aligned sweep through the volume to locate handles. Handles are detected by successively constructing and analyzing a directed graph. A multiple region-growing process is used which simultaneously acts on the foreground and background to isolate handles and tunnels. The sizes of handles and tunnels are measured, then handles are removed or tunnels filled based on their sizes.