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MRI internal segmentation of optic pathway gliomas: clinical implementation of a novel algorithm

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Abstract

Purpose

Optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) are diagnosed based on typical MR features and require careful monitoring with serial MRI. Reliable, serial radiological comparison of OPGs is a difficult task, where accuracy becomes very important for clinical decisions on treatment initiation and results. Current radiological methodology usually includes linear measurements that are limited in terms of precision and reproducibility.

Method

We present a method that enables semiautomated segmentation and internal classification of OPGs using a novel algorithm. Our method begins with co-registration of the different sequences of an MR study so that T1 and T2 slices are realigned. The follow-up studies are then re-sliced according to the baseline study. The baseline tumor is segmented, with internal components classified into solid non-enhancing, solid-enhancing, and cystic components, and the volume is calculated. Tumor demarcation is then transferred onto the next study and the process repeated. Numerical values are correlated with clinical data such as treatment and visual ability.

Results

We have retrospectively implemented our method on 24 MR studies of three OPG patients. Clinical case reviews are presented here. The volumetric results have been correlated with clinical data and their implications are also discussed.

Conclusions

The heterogeneity of OPGs, the long course, and the young age of the patients are all driving the demand for more efficient and accurate means of tumor follow-up. This method may allow better understanding of the natural history of the tumor and provide a more advanced means of treatment evaluation.

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Acknowledgment

This work was supported by the Gilbert Israeli Neurofibromatosis Center. This work was performed in partial fulfillment of the M.D. thesis requirements of the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University.

Conflict of interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Dana Children’s Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6 Weizman Street, Tel Aviv, 64239, Israel

    Ben Shofty, Shlomi Constantini & Jonathan Roth

  2. Gilbert Israeli Neurofibromatosis Center (GINFC), Dana Children’s Hospital, Tel Aviv-Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel

    Ben Shofty, Shlomi Constantini, Anat Kesler, Sigal Freedman, Jonathan Roth & Liat Ben-Sira

  3. School of Eng. and Computer Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

    Lior Weizman & Leo Joskowicz

  4. Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel

    Michal Yalon

  5. Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Dana Children’s Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Rina Dvir

  6. Wohl Institute for Advanced Imaging, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel

    Dafna Ben-Bashat

  7. Neuro-Ophthalmology Unit, Ophthalmology Department, Tel Aviv- Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Anat Kesler

  8. Pediatric Radiology Unit, Dana Children’s Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Liat Ben-Sira

Authors
  1. Ben Shofty
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  2. Lior Weizman
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  3. Leo Joskowicz
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  4. Shlomi Constantini
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  5. Anat Kesler
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  6. Dafna Ben-Bashat
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  7. Michal Yalon
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  8. Rina Dvir
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  9. Sigal Freedman
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  10. Jonathan Roth
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  11. Liat Ben-Sira
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shlomi Constantini.

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Shofty, B., Weizman, L., Joskowicz, L. et al. MRI internal segmentation of optic pathway gliomas: clinical implementation of a novel algorithm. Childs Nerv Syst 27, 1265–1272 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-011-1436-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-011-1436-7

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