Symmetry-based reorientation algorithm for spinal cord 3T MR images

Abstract : Imaging the spinal cord of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients is challenging due to pain and sores problems that could be caused by a prolonged lying position in the scanner. Once positioned within the MRI the subject cannot be displaced and therefore subject centering within the scanner (A-P and L-R directions) is not ensured. Thus, centering spinal cord images in the A-P and L-R directions is necessary to make group analysis and accurately quantifying cord atrophy in SCI patients. A Symmetry-based reorientation algorithm for the spinal cord 3T R images was proposed and evaluated on 32 data using both an imposed rotation angle and visual strategies. The proposed reorientation algorithm was proven to be efficient at C2 vertebral level.