Automated measurement of pediatric cranial bone thickness and density from clinical computed tomography

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2012:2012:4462-5. doi: 10.1109/EMBC.2012.6346957.

Abstract

Skull thickness and density measures of normal pediatric crania would inform multiple disciplines including neurosurgery, optical and magnetoelectrophysiological imaging, and biomechanical modeling of head trauma. We report on a new method for automated extraction of in vivo skull thickness and density measures of pediatric crania based on x-ray computed tomography scans (CT). Data were obtained from a clinical image repository for pediatric populations in whom no pathology was noted. Skull thickness and density measures were systematically obtained across the calvarium. We find a set of measures that correlated with physiological age that are likely to prove useful in multiple disciplines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon / methods*
  • Adolescent
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Algorithms
  • Bone Density / physiology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Organ Size / physiology
  • Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Skull / diagnostic imaging*
  • Skull / physiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*