Accuracy and reproducibility of a novel semi-automatic segmentation technique for MR volumetry of the pituitary gland

摘要: Although several reports about volumetric determination of the pituitary gland exist, volumetries have been solely performed by indirect measurements or manual tracing on gland’s boundaries. The purpose this study was to evaluate accuracy and reproducibility a novel semi-automatic MR-based segmentation technique. In an initial technical investigation, T1-weighted 3D native magnetised prepared rapid gradient echo sequences (1.5 T) with 1 mm isotropic voxel size achieved high reliability were utilised in different vitro vivo studies. computer-assisted technique based interactive watershed transform after resampling computation. Volumetry three observers software neuroradiologic experiences, evaluating phantoms known volume (0.3, 0.9 1.62 ml) healthy subjects (26 38 years; overall 135 volumetries). High volumetry shown phantom analysis; measurement errors  0.05). analysed MR is valid, reliable fast Possible clinical applications are hyperplasia atrophy pathological circumstances either single assessment monitoring follow-up