extracting the 3d region of the liver and computing liver fat fraction using mri-dixon data

使用 Dixon MRI 的综合 3D 肝脏脂肪功能分布模型

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) encompasses a spectrum of pathological conditions, ranging from the abnormal accumulation of triglycerides in liver cells (hepatic steatosis) to the development of inflammation and damage to liver cells, known as non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). In some cases, NAFLD can progress to more severe stages, including fibrosis, cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, or even Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)1. Published data from the World Health Organization and the Global Burden of Disease suggest that approximately 1,235.7 million individuals worldwide are affected by NAFLD across all age groups2. NAFLD currently ranks as one of the most prominent causes of liver-related diseases globally and is expected to become the leading cause of end-stage liver disease in the coming decades3.
The accurate assessment of hepatic steatosis&#39;s extent holds substantial importance for precise diagnosis, appropriate treatment selection, and effective disease progression monitoring. The gold standard for assessing liver fat content continues to be liver biopsy. However, due to its invasive nature, the potential for pain, bleeding, and other postoperative complications, it is not a practical option for frequent follow-up examinations4,5,6. Consequently, there is a pressing need for noninvasive imaging techniques that can reliably quantify hepatic fat deposition. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows promise in this area due to its lack of ionizing radiation and its ability to sensitively detect fat content through chemical shift effects7,8.
Recent studies have outlined MRI techniques for quantifying hepatic fat, based on chemical shift gradient echo methods like Dixon imaging9,10. Nonetheless, the majority of these techniques rely on the analysis of two-dimensional regions of interest. The comprehensive evaluation of the three-dimensional distribution of liver fat fraction (LFF) has remained limited. In the present study, a unique 3D LFF quantification approach is introduced, combining Dixon MRI with liver structural imaging. The resulting 3D LFF model allows for precise visualization and measurement of the distribution of fat content throughout the entire volume of the liver. This technique demonstrates substantial clinical utility for the accurate diagnosis of hepatic steatosis.

作者聚焦：一种使用 3D Dixon MRI 评估和区分肝脏脂肪模式的非侵入性工具 

使用Dixon磁共振成像分析肝脏脂肪分数分布的3D定量技术

This study developed a 3D Dixon MRI technique to precisely quantify liver fat distribution, aiming to validate its efficacy as an accurate, non-invasive tool for assessing and differentiating fat patterns in normal versus steatotic livers. Recent advances in MRI fat quantification include normal 3D distribution modeling approaches, integrating Dixon Imaging with liver structure segmentation to enable precise visualization and environment of liver fat fraction patterns. Integrating AI-driven medical imaging, deep learning, 3D visualization, and a multimodal data fusion enhances whole liver modeling and steatotic assessment, facilitating precise clinic decision-making.Current experimental challenges include standardizing computational workflows, addressing variations in equipment and protocols, and elucidating the mechanisms of disease progression in hepatic steatosis research. Our protocol offers the advantage of 3D liver fat fraction assessment, surpassing the 2D techniques. The findings will advance research in our field by offering a comprehensive and accurate 3D LFF assessment of different stages of fatty liver disease, which is crucial for treatment decisions and prognosis evaluation.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Extracting the 3D Region of the Liver and Computing Liver Fat Fraction Using MRI-Dixon Data at JoVE.com

Extracting the 3D Region of the Liver and Computing Liver Fat Fraction Using MRI-Dixon Data  

提取肝脏的 3D 区域并使用 MRI-Dixon 数据计算肝脏脂肪分数

要开始从 Dixon MRI 数据中提取肝脏的 3D 区域，请打开 Mimics 软件并选择新项目。在随后的对话框中，找到存放 Dixon out 相位图像的文件夹。单击“下一步”，然后单击“继续”，然后点击“转换”进入序列编辑模式。在右侧的掩码对话框中单击“新建”以生成一个空掩码并选择最大阈值。使用位于段标签下方的编辑蒙版工具在所有水平视图中描绘肝脏区域。选择前面描述的肝脏面罩，然后单击从面罩中计算部分以创建肝脏的 3D 空间表示。导航到文件，然后选择导出，然后选择 DICOM 选项。在弹出的对话框中，选择肝脏掩码，指定文件路径和名称，然后单击确定将 3D 肝脏区域导出到指定的 DICOM 文件。将目录更改为同相图像的文件夹，然后选择Volume_In功能以生成同相卷。将目录更改为仅水图像的文件夹，然后选择Volume_Water功能以生成仅水体积。选择FF容积函数，使用先前生成的两个容积作为输入，得到腹部MRI的FF容积。利用 LFF 函数，为其提供 3D 肝脏区域和肝脏硬度图作为输入参数。使用与 LFF 体积相同的输入参数运行 LFF 分布函数，以生成 3D 肝脏脂肪分数的空间分布。将 3D 肝脏轮廓与 2D FF 图融合生成集成的 3D FF 分布模型。这揭示了不同肝脏位置的脂肪分数值，从而能够精确测量不同脂肪变性水平下的肝脏比例。正常肝和脂肪肝之间的比较验证了该技术识别不同 3D LFF 分布模式的能力。

extracting-3d-region-liver-computing-liver-fat-fraction-using-mri

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

Extracting the 3D Region of the Liver and Computing Liver Fat Fraction Using MRI-Dixon Data

70 次观看.  Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. 要开始从 Dixon MRI 数据中提取肝脏的 3D 区域，请打开 Mimics 软件并选择新项目。在随后的对话框中，找到存放 Dixon out 相位图像的文件夹。单击“下一步”，然后单击“继续”，然后点击“转换”进入序列编辑模式。在右侧的掩码对话框中单击“新建”以生成一个空掩码并选择最大阈值。使用位于段标签下方的编辑蒙版工具在所有水平视图中描绘肝脏区域。选择前面描述...

视频: Extracting the 3D Region of the Liver and Computing Liver Fat Fraction Using MRI-Dixon Data  

A 3D Quantification Technique for Liver Fat Fraction Distribution Analysis Using Dixon Magnetic Resonance Imaging

This study presents a 3D quantification methodology for the distribution of liver fat fraction (LFF) through the utilization of Dixon MRI image analysis. The central aim is to offer a highly accurate and non-invasive means of evaluating liver fat content. The process involves the acquisition of In-phase and Water-phase images from a Dixon sequence. LFF maps are then meticulously computed voxel by voxel by dividing the Lipid Phase images by the In-phase images. Simultaneously, 3D liver contours are extracted from the In-phase images. These crucial components are seamlessly integrated to construct a comprehensive 3D-LFF distribution model. This technique is not limited to healthy livers but extends to those afflicted by hepatic steatosis. The results obtained demonstrate the remarkable effectiveness of this approach in both visualizing and quantifying liver fat content. It distinctly discerns patterns that differentiate between normal and steatotic livers. By harnessing Dixon MRI to extract the 3D structure of the liver, this method offers precise LFF assessments spanning the entirety of the organ, thereby holding great promise for the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis with remarkable effectiveness.

This study introduces a unique 3D quantification method for liver fat fraction (LFF) distribution using Dixon Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Dixon MRI). LFF maps, derived from in-phase and water-phase images, are integrated with 3D liver contours to differentiate LFF patterns between normal and steatotic livers, enabling precise assessment of liver fat content.

This study presents a 3D quantification methodology for the distribution of liver fat fraction (LFF) through the utilization of Dixon MRI image analysis. ...

科研

医学

Data Collection from Patient Liver-MRI Datasets to Validate the 3D Liver Fat Fraction Quantification

To begin checking the Dixon sequence for the upper abdomen, create a customized working directory and copy all DICOM data to the created directory. Then go to the directory housing the data within MATLAB's current working directory. Change the directory to access folders for different phases, like in-phase, out-phase, water and fat phases.Utilize the Slice_View function to view the image for each phase. Use the MRI Dixon in-phase sequence to enhance descriptions of liver tissue boundaries. Right-click on the color bar and select the option from the pop-up menu to switch to the standard gray color map and reset the entire GUI.After zooming the image appropriately, Use the Mark Pixel Coordinates feature to calculate the distance between two points, aiding in the measurement of nodule sizes. Employ the scroll bar situated at the bottom of the graphic user interface, or GUI, to navigate through the various sequences efficiently. If the default filter window is not suitable, adjust it by dragging it up and down in the middle of the figure, using the left mouse button to modify the window level.

从患者肝脏 MRI 数据集收集数据以验证 3D 肝脏脂肪分数量化

To begin extracting the 3D region of the liver from the Dixon MRI data, open the Mimics software and choose new project. In the subsequent dialogue box, locate the folder housing the Dixon out phase images. Click on next, then click on continue, and then hit convert to enter the sequence editing mode.Click on new within the mask dialogue box situated on the right hand side to generate an empty mask and opt for the maximum threshold. Use the edit masks tool located under the segment label to delineate the liver area in all horizontal views. Choose the liver mask depicted earlier and click on calculate part from the mask to create a 3D spatial representation of the liver.Navigate to file, then select export, and choose the DICOM option. In the pop-up dialogue box, select the liver mask, specify the file path and names, and then click on OK to export the 3D liver region to the designated DICOM files. Change the directory to the folder of in phase images and select the Volume_In function to generate the in phase volume.Change the directory to the folder of water only images and select the Volume_Water function to generate the water only volume. Select the FF volume function and use the two volumes previously generated as inputs to obtain the FF volume of the abdominal MRI. Utilize the LFF function, providing it with the 3D liver region and the liver stiffness map as input parameters.Run the LFF distribution function using the identical input parameters as LFF volume to produce the spatial distribution of the 3D liver fat fraction. Fusing the 3D liver contour with the 2D FF map generated an integrated 3D FF distribution model. This revealed fat fraction values at different liver positions, enabling precise measurement of the proportion of the liver at various steatosis levels.Comparison between a normal and fatty liver validated the technique's ability to discern different 3D LFF distribution patterns.