Andrzej Krol1, Alphonso Magri2, David Feiglin, Gwen Tillapaugh-Fay, Wendy McGraw3, Edward Lipson2, James Mandel4, Wei Lee
1Department of Radiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA; 2Physics, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA; 3Central New York PET, Syracuse, NY, USA; 4Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
We searched for the best method for registration of parametric Gd-DTPA MR with F-18-FDG PET/CT images for improved breast cancer detection. Two strategies of registration of MR and PET parametric images were considered: intensity based using free-form deformation (FFD) and geometry based using finite element method (FEM) with fiducial skin markers placed on patients breasts and visible in MR and PET imaging. The FFD registration was performed via CT images that were obtained during PET/CT scans. We conclude that FFD should be used for nonrigid registration of parametric MR to parametric PET breast images via CT images.