Abstract #3015

Optimizing QSM-T1w Neuroimaging Templates: Exploring the Impact of the Number of Subjects on Template Quality

Fahad Salman¹, Niels Bergsland¹, Michael G. Dwyer^1,2, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman³, Robert Zivadinov^1,2, and Ferdinand Schweser^1,2

¹Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States, ²Center for Biomedical Imaging, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States, ³Jacobs Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States

Synopsis

Keywords: Segmentation, Susceptibility, QSM template, QSM-T1w, Segmentation, Quantitative, QSM, Normalization

Motivation: Previously, automated delineation of deep gray matter (DGM) regions predominantly relied on T1-weighted (T1w) brain images with limited iron-rich DGM contrast. Multi-contrast atlases incorporating quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) have been introduced to overcome this issue and are increasingly being used in multi-atlas segmentation methods.

Goal(s): To determine a generalizable minimum number of subjects to be used for generating high quality QSM-T1w templates.

Approach: We quantitatively investigated the effect of increasing (factor=2) the number of subjects (N=10-160) used for template construction on resulting template quality.

Results: In highly heterogeneous cohorts, more than 40 subjects result in a diminishing return for QSM-T1w template generation.

Impact: Using a small number of subjects for template generation ensures economic use of resources and facilitates the creation of more sub-group templates from the same cohort, to be used in advanced multi-atlas techniques.

How to access this content:

For one year after publication, abstracts and videos are only open to registrants of this annual meeting. Registrants should use their existing login information. Non-registrant access can be purchased via the ISMRM E-Library.

After one year, current ISMRM & ISMRT members get free access to both the abstracts and videos. Non-members and non-registrants must purchase access via the ISMRM E-Library.

After two years, the meeting proceedings (abstracts) are opened to the public and require no login information. Videos remain behind password for access by members, registrants and E-Library customers.

Click here for more information on becoming a member.