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Abstract #4138

Towards Renal Compartment Segmentation Using an Unsupervised Neural Network Approach

Frank Gerrit Zllner1,2, Lothar Rudi Schad1

1Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; 2Section for Radiology, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

ynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is an emerging technique for a more accurate assessment of local renal function. Automated methods mostly involves user interaction or are based on model assumptions.In this work we present a model free and unsupervised approach to renal compartment segmentation in 3D DCE-MRI data. Thereby self organizing maps (SOM)are utilized. Initial results demonstrate that SOMs could be used for a segmentation of the renal compartments but also, could give qualitative insights into local perfusion patterns of the kidney.