Antoine Rosset MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Luca Spadola MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Osman Ratib MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The goal of this poster is to illustrate the potential application of merging data of different image acquisition protocols or from different imaging modalities in a single presentation. By using this technique of image fusion it is possible to combine information from different image sets in a more convenient and efficient way for interpretation.

We developed a new DICOM-compliant viewer for interactive display and navigation of multidimensional image sets. The software allows the user to combine images from different images acquisitions or modalities independently from the original slices orientation, slice interval and slice thickness. The software is provided under Open-Source licensing and is based on open source components.

We applied this technique to a variety of different image modalities.For the MRI modality we merged T1 sequences without contrast with T1 sequences after contrast that demonstrate the exact location of enhancement. We merged T1 sequences with STIR or T2-FatSat sequences that demonstrate a high anatomic resolution with the abnormal signal of T2 images. For the CT modality, we merged angio-CT before and after contrast that allow to clearly distinguish between calcification and intra-lumen contrast media. We also merged series of different modalities such as PET-CT, PET-MRI and CT-MRI. Clinical examples of these applications will be illustrated.

Merging different series and/or modalities could become an alternative way for interpretation and display of large sets of multidimensional data. The user can benefit from faster interpretation of the data using fused images that combine information obtained from different image sets. This technique generally used for merging co-registered image sets from different modalities can very well be used for combining image sets obtained from a single imaging modalities using different acquisition protocols. The combination of functional parameters with anatomical images allows a better communication of results to referring physicians.

Rosset, A, Spadola, L, Ratib, O, Merging Imaging Modalities: Practical Applications.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4406423.html