Perfusion imaging

A method includes determining a plausibility of one or more perfusion parameter maps generated based on perfusion image data and correcting at least one of the perfusion parameter maps when the plausibility for the at least one perfusion parameter map does not satisfy pre-set perfusion parameter plausibility criteria.

The following generally relates to perfusion imaging, and finds particular application to computed tomography perfusion (CTP). However, it also amenable to other medical imaging applications and to non-medical imaging applications.

Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) provides information that can be used to facilitate diagnosing patients with mal-perfusion of the brain like stroke patients. In general, a typical CTP procedure includes intravenously administering a contrast agent bolus to a patient. The patient's brain is then scanned. The contrast agent causes the x-ray density of the brain to temporarily increase as the contrast agent flows through and washes out of the vascular structure of the brain. Data is captured and images are generated for different time intervals to trace the contrast agent as it flows through the vascular structure of the brain. The resulting data can be used to identify ischemic tissue and/or differentiate between irreversibly damaged tissue (necrotic tissue, or the core of the infarct) and potentially reversibly damaged tissue (at-risk tissue, or the penumbra of the infarct), for example, in stroke patients.

Software application perfusion packages provide tools that facilitate automatically or semi-automatically interpreting such CTP image data. Such packages may generate graphical perfusion parameter maps showing cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), mean transit time (MTT) and time to peak (TTP) maps, and summary maps, based on the perfusion parameter maps, which show areas of hypo-perfusion in the brain. These maps help identify the core and the penumbra of an infarct and may impact the therapeutic decision making, for example, where the percentage of the core to the total area (core plus penumbra) is used to decide whether thrombolytic or other therapy should be applied in an attempt to save the potentially reversibly damaged tissue (the penumbra).

The quality of the information in the perfusion parameter and summary maps depends on the quality of the representation of the selected vessel (artery and/or vein) in the image data. However, artifact, such as partial volume averaging of a small vessel in relatively thicker slices, may lead to inaccuracies in the vessel representation, which may lead to the selection of inappropriate reference vessels for generating the maps, resulting in inaccurate perfusion parameter and summary maps, and potentially erroneous therapeutic decisions. The perfusion parameter and summary maps have been manually corrected by the clinician, for example, via changing parameter values, to compensate for visually observed differences in the left and right and/or front and back hemispheres of the brain. Unfortunately, such corrections can be time consuming and prone to human error.

Aspects of the present application address the above-referenced matters and others.

According to one aspect, a method includes determining a plausibility of one or more perfusion parameter maps generated based on perfusion image data and correcting at least one of the perfusion parameter maps when the plausibility for the at least one perfusion parameter map does not satisfy pre-set perfusion parameter plausibility criteria.

According to another aspect, a system includes a perfusion parameter map validator that corrects one or more perfusion parameter maps generated based on perfusion image data, and a summary map validator that corrects one or more summary maps generated based on the one or more perfusion parameter maps.

According to another aspect, a computer readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of: determining a plausibility of at least one of a first perfusion parameter map generated based on perfusion image data or a summary map based on a second perfusion parameter map, and correcting the at least one of the first perfusion parameter map or the summary map when the at least one of the first perfusion parameter map or the summary map does not satisfy pre-set plausibility criteria.

FIG. 1illustrates a computed tomography (CT) scanner100that includes a stationary gantry102and a rotating gantry104, which is rotatably supported by the stationary gantry102. The rotating gantry104rotates around an examination region106about a longitudinal or z-axis108. A radiation source110, such as an x-ray tube, is supported by and rotates with the rotating gantry104around the examination region106. The radiation source110emits radiation, which is collimated by a collimator112to produce a generally fan, wedge, or cone shaped radiation beam that traverses the examination region106.

A radiation sensitive detector array114detects photons that traverse the examination region106and generates projection data indicative thereof. A reconstructor116reconstructs the projection data and generates volumetric image data indicative of the examination region106, including a portion of a subject residing therein. A patient support118, such as a couch, supports the patient for the scan. A general purpose computing system120serves as an operator console. Software resident on the console120allows the operator to control the operation of the system100.

In one instance, the scanner100is used to perform a CT perfusion (CTP) procedure of the brain or other vascular tissue. Such a procedure may include administering a contrast medium bolus, such as an intravenous iodinated contrast agent, to a subject, and then scanning the subject's brain over time. Following the administration of the contrast medium bolus, the x-ray density of the brain temporarily changes as the contrast medium flows through the vascular structure of the brain (e.g., uptake through wash out). The contrast material is traced as it passes through the vascular structure of the brain via multiple scans. The resulting CTP image data can be used to identify ischemic tissue and/or differentiate between irreversibly damaged tissue and potentially reversibly damaged tissue, for example, in stroke patients or patients with another neuro-vascular disease. Of course, the scanner100can additionally or alternatively be used for other CT applications.

A perfusion modeler122generates cerebral perfusion information based at least in part on CTP image data. In one instance, a perfusion parameter map generator126generates one or more perfusion parameter maps for information such as mean transit time (MTT), cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), time to peak (TTP), and/or one or it more other parameters. A perfusion parameter map validator128performs a plausibility check on a map and facilitates correcting a map, if needed, and validating a map that passes the plausibility check.

A summary map generator130generates a summary map based on one or more of the perfusion parameters maps, and a summary map validator132facilitates correcting a summary map, if needed, and validating a summary map that pass the plausibility check. As noted above, a summary map can be used to identify the core and/or the penumbra of an infarct. In other embodiments, the summary map validator132does not facilitate correcting summary maps.

An interface134provides a mechanism through which an operator and the perfusion modeler122interact. Such interaction may include presenting various information, via a monitor or the like, such as the CTP data, CTA data, data from another imaging modality(s), and/or a combination thereof, one or more of the perfusion parameter maps, indicia indicating the veracity of a perfusion parameter map, one or more of the summary maps, indicia indicating the veracity of a summary map, and/or other information. Such interaction may also include operator input such as vessel selection, auto-correction invocation, parameter values, thresholds, acceptance criteria, etc.

It is to be appreciated that the perfusion modeler122may be configured to automatically generate parameter and/or summary maps, validate parameter and/or summary maps, correct the information used to generate the maps, provide notifications about the maps, and/or perform other functions and/or provide other information. As such, in one instance the perfusion modeler122may facilitate mitigating generating parameter and/or summary maps that may lead to erroneous therapeutic decisions by performing a plausibility check on the parameter and/or summary maps and an automatic correction thereof, when needed, and notifying the operator regarding the results of the plausibility check and correction. As such, the clinician may not have to visually inspect and manually correct map parameters, which may mitigate introducing human error into the maps and consuming time.

FIG. 2illustrates a non-limiting example perfusion modeler122. As briefly discussed above, the perfusion parameter map generator126generates perfusion parameter maps, including, but not limited to, a perfusion parameter map for MTT and/or a a perfusion map for CBV. The following provides examples of MTT parameter map and CBV parameter map generators. Parameter map generators for other perfusion information may also be included.

In the illustrated example, the perfusion parameter map generator126includes a MTT map generator202that generates a MTT map. The MTT map generator202generates a MTT map based on CTP image data, for example, CTP image data from the scanner100, based on at least one reference artery of the brain represented in the CTP image data. In one instance, an operator selects the reference artery and/or the reference vein, which may be a vein at the back of the head such as the superior sagittal sinus or other vein. In another instance, a computer implemented algorithm automatically selects the artery and/or vein. The operator may override the automatic selection.

A MTT map validator204validates the generated MTT map. A MTT map that fails validation may be discarded and/or presented with a notification indicating lack of validation. Alternatively, and as described in greater detail below, when a MTT map fails to be validated, one or more new MTT maps can be iteratively generated by the MTT map generator202until a MTT map is validated or some other criteria is satisfied. A validated MTT map may be presented to the operator, for example, via the interface134and/or otherwise. A non-validated MTT map may also be presented, however, with a warning and/or other notification.

The perfusion parameter map generator126also includes a CBV map generator206that generates CBV maps. The CBV map generator206uses CTP image data, for example, from the scanner100, to generate a CBV map. A CBV map validator208validates the CBV map. As described in greater detail below, this may include determining one or more features, such as a texture or gradient, from the image data and validating the CBV map based on at least one of the one or more features.

A CBV map that fails to be validated may be discarded and/or presented with a notification indicating lack of validation. Alternatively, and as described in greater detail below, when a CBV map fails to be validated, one or more corrections can be iteratively performed until the CBV map is validated or some other criteria is satisfied. A validated CBV map may be presented to the operator via the interface134and/or otherwise. A non-validated CBV map may also be presented, however, with a warning and/or other notification.

The summary map generator130generates a summary map. In one instance, a summary map is generated based on a MTT map. Such a summary map can be used to determine the penumbra of the infarct. Additionally or alternatively, the summary map is generated based on a CBV map. In this instance, the summary map can be used to determine the core of the infarct. When the MTT and/or CBV map are corrected, the summary map is generated based on the corrected MTT and/or CBV map, and a corrected threshold, as described in greater detail below. The summary map validator132validates the summary map. Similar to the MTT and CBV maps, a summary map may be presented to the operator. In instances where the summary map is not validated, a warning and/or other notification may be presented therewith.

FIG. 3illustrates a non-limiting example of the MTT validator204in connection with the MTT map generator202. In the illustrated embodiment, the MTT validator204includes a mean MTT estimator302, a mean MTT determiner304, and a mean MTT plausibility checker306.

In one instance, the mean MTT estimator302estimates a mean MTT by deriving a mean MTT from a time difference between the arterial and the venous peak of contrast flow in the selected artery and veins. The time difference may be calculated from the maximums of time concentration curves for the reference artery and vein, for example, from the time difference therebetween. Generally, this time difference represents the time of contrast flow from the reference artery to the reference vein.

FIG. 4shows superimposed time concentration curves402and404respectively for a referenced artery and a reference vein. InFIG. 4, a y-axis406represents contrast concentration as a function of time and an x-axis408represents time. The time difference can be derived fromFIG. 4as a function of Equation 1:
ΔT=max(TCCV)−max(TCCA),  EQUATION 1
where time difference ΔT represents the estimated mean MTT, max(TCCV) is about a maximum412of the time concentration curve of the reference vein, and max(TCCA) is about a maximum410of the time concentration curve of the reference artery. InFIG. 4, ΔT=seven (7) seconds, as indicated at414.

Returning toFIG. 3, the mean MTT determiner304determines a mean MTT from the MTT parameter map generated by the MTT map generator202. In this example, the mean MTT is for the brain and is determined as a function of Equation 2:

MTTmean=∑i=1NB⁢⁢MTT⁡(pi),EQUATION⁢⁢2
where NBis a number of pixels in a region of interest in the image data in the brain and piis the ith pixel within the brain.

The MTT validator204validates and passes the MTT map when ΔMTT<ThreshMTT. Otherwise, the MTT validator204notifies the MTT map generator202, which generates another MTT map and, optionally, presents a notification, indicating that the MTT failed the plausibility test. The MTT map generator202generates a new MTT map based on another reference artery, which may be manually selected by an operator or automatically selected. A new MTT map is then generated based on the newly selected artery. The above validation can then be performed on the new MTT. New arteries are selected and new MTT maps are generated until ΔMTT is less than ThreshMTT, or some other criteria is satisfied.

FIG. 5illustrates a non-limiting example of the CBV validator208in connection with the CBV map generator206. In the illustrated embodiment, the CBV validator208includes a Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) processor502, a vessel segmentation component504, a feature determiner506, a CBV map plausibility checker508, and a CBV map corrector510.

The MIP processor502generates temporal MIP (tMIP) image data, which shows the maximal value for each pixel during the uptake and washout of the contrast agent. The tMIP images are calculated based on CTP image data. By way of example, the image data may include the superposition of thirty (30) images acquired over sixty (60) seconds(s).FIG. 6illustrates an example tMIP image data.

The vessel segmentation component504determines a first set of vessels to segment or remove based on the CBV map generated by the CBV map generator206. In one instance, the first set of vessels is based on a default threshold. For example, the first set of vessels may relate to tissue in the CBV map having a value greater than a default threshold of nine (9) milliliters (ml) of blood per one hundred (100) grams (g) of brain mass.

A feature determiner506determines various features from the data. For instance, the feature determiner506can determine a mean gradient based on the tMIP and the first set of vessels. In one instance, this includes generating masked image data by masking the tMIP image data with the first set of vessels, and then determining the mean gradient of the masked image data. The original pixel values of the tMIP image data at the position of the mask vessel are retained and the other pixel values are set to zero.

By way of non-limiting example, the masked image data can be generated, for example, as a function of Equation 4:
tMIPmasekd=tMIP*vessel1,  EQUATION 4
where tMIPmaskedis the masked tMIP image data and vessel1represents the first set of vessels, and a mean gradient of the masked image data can be determined, for example, as a function of Equation 5:

g⁡(tMIPmasked)=∑i=1Nv⁢⁢g⁢(pi),Nv,EQUATION⁢⁢5
where g(tMIPmasked) is the mean gradient of the masked image, g(pi) is the ith gradient, and Nvis the number of pixels piwithin the mask vessel1, excluding all pixels at the border of the mask.

The CBV validator208validates the CBV map when g(tMIPmasked)<ThreshCBV. Otherwise, a CBV corrector510corrects the CBV map and, optionally, presents a notification, indicating that the CBV failed the plausibility test. Generally, in this case the segmented area is too big and not only vessels but a portion of the brain tissue is also removed from the CBV map a shown inFIG. 7relative toFIG. 6.

The CBV corrector510may perform an auto-correction, which, in one non-limiting instance, includes re-sizing or shrinking the vessel mask. This can be achieved by applying an erosion kernel that scales the mask, an erosion kernel that discards or ignores an outer perimeter layer of the mask to reduce the mask, and/or other erosion kernels. This correction can be repeated until (tMIPmasked)<ThreshCBVand/or otherwise.

When the above correction results in (tMIPmasked)>ThreshCBV, the default segmentation threshold can be updated to reflect a threshold that would render (tMIPmasked)<ThreshCBV. The corrected segmentation threshold can be determined as a function of Equation 7:

ThreshCOR=∑i=1Nvessel1⁢_ero⁢⁢CBV⁡(pi),Nvessel1⁢_ero,EQUATION⁢⁢7
where piis the ith pixel within vessel1—ero.

The corrected threshold, ThreshCOR, is used to remove the vessels from the corrected CBV map.FIG. 8shows a corrected CBV map for the tMIP image data ofFIG. 6, applying the corrected ThreshCOR. Note that the segmented portions of the corrected map inFIG. 8more closely represent the vessels inFIG. 6relative toFIG. 7.

FIG. 9illustrates a non-limiting example of the summary map validator132. The summary map validator132receives the summary map generated by the summary map generator130and information from the parameter map validator128regarding the MTT and/or CBV map, for example, the MTT and/or CBV map, an indication of whether the originally generated MTT and/or CBV map has been corrected, any correction, etc. Generally, the correction of the threshold for the vessel removal is an indication that the values of the MTT and/or CBV map are erroneous. When the CBV map is corrected, an error factor generator902of the summary map validator132generates an error factor as a function of Equation 8:

c=threshCBVthreshDEFAULTEQUATION⁢⁢8
where c is the correction factor, threshCBVis the mean CBV value of the vascular structure (Equation (7)), and threshDEFAULTis the default segmentation threshold, which is 9 ml/100 g in our above example.

A threshold calculator904calculates a corrected threshold for determining the core of the infarct based on the error factor. For instance, the threshold calculator904can calculate the threshold as a function Equation 9:
ThreshCORE=c*2 ml/100 g  EQUATION 9
where ThreshCOREis the core threshold. ThreshCOREis used to correct the summary map.

Variations and/or alternatives are discussed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the perfusion modeler122is part of a workstation124or the like, which is separate from the scanner100. In other embodiments, the perfusion modeler122is additionally or alternatively implemented in the console120and/or another system.

In connection withFIG. 5above, the CBV map is corrected by adjusting a size of the segmentation mask. In another embodiment, when the gradient g(tMIPmasked) is greater than the pre-set threshold ThreshCBV, the correction component510auto-corrects the CBV map by directly modifying the default segmentation threshold. For instance, the default segmentation threshold can be automatically scaled by a factor (e.g., two (2)), incremented by one or more units (e.g., one (1) ml/one hundred (100) g), and/or otherwise changed. By way of non-limiting example, the default segmentation threshold can be scaled by a factor of two (2), resulting in a segmentation threshold of eighteen (18) ml/one hundred (100) g, assuming a default threshold of nine (9) ml/one hundred (100) g.

The CBV map may also be validated using CTA image data. For example, if CTA image data is available, the CTA image data and the tMIP image data can be registered, and the CTA image data can be used to describe the vessel. If the CTA image data is acquired at a higher dose and higher spatial resolution, relative to the CT imaged data used to generate the tMIP imaged data, the CTA image may have better noise statistics and includes thinner slices, mitigating partial volume artifacts. As a result, the segmentation can be improved.

The tMIP image data may be generated as described herein. However, alternatively the vessel segmentation component504generates a first set of vessels, vessel1, for example, by performing a threshold-based segmentation to the pixels of a brain region of interest of the tMIP images and a second set of vessels, vessel2, for example, by performing a vessel segmentation to the CTA image data registered with the CTP images. Other segmentation approaches can alternatively be applied.

The CBV parameter map plausibility checker508compares the absolute difference of the area of vessel1and the area of vessel2. If the difference of the area (number of equally scaled pixels) classified as vessel1respectively as vessel2exceeds a given threshold, the auto-correction can be performed as discussed above. However other criterion may be used to stop the iterative auto-correction. For example, the auto-correction may be performed until the difference between the eroded mask vessel1-eroand the mask vessel2is below a given threshold. As described above, the eroded mask vessel1-erocan be used to define the corrected CBV threshold ThreshCORE.

FIG. 10illustrates a non-limiting method for validating perfusion parameter and summary maps. At1002, CTP image data is obtained. As briefly discussed above, such data can captured by the scanner100. Additionally or alternatively, perfusion information can be obtained from another imaging modality such as MR, US, SPECT, PET, etc. At1004, one or more perfusion parameter maps are generated from the image data. At1006, a plausibility check is performed on at least one perfusion parameter map. At1008, the at least one perfusion parameter map is corrected, if needed. At1010, one or more parameters are corrected, for example, the threshold used when determining the core of the infarct, if needed. At1012, one or more summary maps are generated from the perfusion parameter map(s) and parameter(s).

FIG. 11illustrated a non-limiting method1100for validating a MTT map. At1102, a reference artery and a reference vein in the brain are selected. At1104, a mean MTT is estimated. At1106, a mean MTT is computed based on the selected vessels. At1108, the difference between the estimated and computed MTT is determined. At1110, the difference is compared to a pre-set threshold value. If the difference is less than the threshold, then at1112the MTT parameter map is validated. If not, then at1114, another artery is selected, and acts1106to1110are repeated. One or more iterations may be performed until a selected artery results in a difference that is less than the threshold. Other criteria may also be used to terminate the method1100.

FIG. 12illustrated a method1200for validating a CBV map. At1202, a mask, representing a first of vessel to remove, is generated based on the CBV map. At1204, temporal MIP (tMIP) image data is generated. At1206, the tMIP image data is masked via the mask. At1208, a mean gradient is determined based on the masked tMIP image data. At1210, the mean gradient is compared with a pre-set threshold. If the mean gradient is less than the pre-set threshold, then at1212the CBV parameter map is validated. If not, then at1214, the mask is adjusted and compared with the threshold again. As discussed herein, the mask may be adjusted by re-sizing the mask and/or changing the default segmentation threshold value. One or more iterations may be performed until gradient is less than the threshold, at which point, the CBV parameter map based on the corrected mask is validated. Other criteria may also be used to terminate the method1200. As discussed herein, CTA data may be used in an alternative embodiment to validate and correct a CBV map.

FIG. 13illustrated a method1300for validating a summary map. At1302, a summary map is generated based on at least one parameter map. At1304, it is determined whether the at least one parameter map was corrected. If not, then at1306the summary map is validated. Otherwise, at1308a correction factor is determined based on the corrected map. At1310, a new threshold ThreshCOREis determined based on a correction factor. At1312, the new threshold is used to correct the summary map.

The above may be implemented by way of computer readable instructions, which, when executed by a computer processor(s), causes the processor(s) to carry out the acts described herein. In such a case, the instructions are stored in a computer readable storage medium such as memory associated with and/or otherwise accessible to the relevant computer.

The invention has been described herein with reference to the various embodiments. Modifications and alterations may occur to others upon reading the description herein. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.