2011-Challenge:Segment-a-spine

Back to 2010 AHM agenda

Introduction

• This is the first in a series of challenges which aim at improving our set of robust interactive segmentation tools.

The Challenge

• Provide a tool in 3D Slicer which will segment
  • each vertebra and
  • each rib as a separate entity.
  • the algorithm can be developed using the data below
  • the algorithm will be tested using a different ct data set of comparable quality.
• It is acceptable to ask the user to point to one or more vertebrae or other structures.
• The algorithm must comply with "Rons Rules For Tools".

Deliverables

• Deliver your solution to Ron by May 31 2011
• The best solution will be awarded with one price of USD 500
• Definition of "best":
  • Outer boundaries of the vertebral body correspond to the visible boundaries
  • Clean separation from adjacent vertebrae, ribs (if present) and intervertebral disks
  • Full segmentation of the transverse and other processes

Sample data set

• See volume of interest which is cropped from the full data set. For reference, L1 has been labeled. Use File/Load scene to load the volume into Slicer. The size of the download is 70MB and contains the original data set as well.
  • The bottom case in this table is the original location.
• Lung CT data set: This is a data set from a different subject.
• Lung CT data sets (3 cases) with COPD: These are three subjects with different degree of COPD.

Atlas reference

If you need anatomical knowledge, please download [1] which contains some individually labeled vertebrae.

To learn about regional differences among healthy vertebrae see the following wikipedia entries:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebrae
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervical_vertebrae
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoracic_vertebrae
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumbar_vertebrae
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacrum