Title: Registration of 3D diffusion weighted images using maximisation of mutual information

Authors: Nirvsh S. Shah, Bharat B. Biswal, Dinesh P. Mital

Addresses: Department of Radiology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA; Department of Health Informatics, UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions, 65 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ, USA. ' Department of Radiology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA. ' Department of Health Informatics, UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions, 65 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ, USA

Abstract: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) characterises anisotropic diffusion of water in the human body. For accurate estimation of tensor parameters it is essential that the diffusion weighted images are spatially aligned. In this study, we demonstrate the use of mutual information to register 3D diffusion weighted images. Specifically, diffusion weighted as opposed to non-diffusion-weighted images are used as the reference for registration and a rigid transformation is used to correct the distortions caused in the images because of patient movement. The results demonstrate that the proposed registration scheme can consistently and effectively characterise the motion induced distortion by minimising the mis-registration of images. Potential applications for this method are discussed.

Keywords: diffusion weighted images; MRI; 3D registration; mutual information; diffusion tensor imaging; DTI; anisotropic diffusion; water; patient movement; motion induced distortion.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMEI.2008.020753

International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics, 2008 Vol.1 No.2, pp.250 - 265

Published online: 13 Oct 2008 *

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