Use of fuzzy edge single-photon emission computed tomography analysis in definite Alzheimer's disease - a retrospective study

BMC Medical Imaging

Research Article

Robert Rusina¹  Marie Buncová²  Radoslav Matěj³  Tomáš Bělíček⁴  Jaromír Kukal⁴ 

[1] Department of Neurology, Thomayer Teaching Hospital and Institute for Postgraduate Education in Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic;Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic;Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Thomayer Teaching Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic;Department of Software Engineering in Economy, Faculty of Nuclear Science and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic;

关键词: Single Photon Emission Computerize Tomography;    Single Photon Emission Computerize Tomography Image;    Single Photon Emission Computerize Tomography Study;    Single Photon Emission Computerize Tomography Data;    Posterior Cingulate Gyrus;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2342-10-20

 received in 2010-01-26, accepted in 2010-09-01,  发布年份 2010

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundDefinite Alzheimer's disease (AD) requires neuropathological confirmation. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) may enhance diagnostic accuracy, but due to restricted sensitivity and specificity, the role of SPECT is largely limited with regard to this purpose.MethodsWe propose a new method of SPECT data analysis. The method is based on a combination of parietal lobe selection (as regions-of-interest (ROI)), 3D fuzzy edge detection, and 3D watershed transformation. We applied the algorithm to three-dimensional SPECT images of human brains and compared the number of watershed regions inside the ROI between AD patients and controls. The Student's two-sample t-test was used for testing domain number equity in both groups.ResultsAD patients had a significantly reduced number of watershed regions compared to controls (p < 0.01). A sensitivity of 94.1% and specificity of 80% was obtained with a threshold value of 57.11 for the watershed domain number. The narrowing of the SPECT analysis to parietal regions leads to a substantial increase in both sensitivity and specificity.ConclusionsOur non-invasive, relatively low-cost, and easy method can contribute to a more precise diagnosis of AD.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Rusina et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2010