3D segmentation and visualisation of mediastinal structures adjacent to tracheobronchial tree from CT data

Abstract

In the paper, an advanced visualisation module of recently developed BRONCHOVID system designed for efficient data exploration and bronchoscopy guidance is presented. It brings an intuitive and user-friendly interface developed with several open source subroutines as well as diversified modes and algorithms of thoracic CT of data segmentation and visualisation including a surface shaded display (SSD), volume rendering and multiplanar reformatting. For enhanced concurrent visualisation of thoracic structures located in the vicinity of or adjacent to trachea and bronchial tree (lymph nodes, blood vessels, pathological masses) a new dedicated segmentation algorithm has been developed. It is based on a region growing method followed by the use of deformable models. The module integrates also the options of central path calculation by means of distant transform in lower airways and interactive virtual bronchoscopy. Its functionality covers also an option for measurements of dimensions in volume of CT data. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.