Image directed method and system for outlining anatomical regions

1. A method for detecting and creating magnetic resonance imaging anatomical outlines of a subject, comprising:

acquiring magnetic resonance imaging signals of a selected region of interest of the subject's anatomy;

processing the magnetic resonance imaging signals to determine image pixel intensity of one or more pixels associated with the selected region of interest surrounding a center location which is predetermined to not contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); and

calculating a mean intensity value associated with the center location;

determining an interior anatomical outline of an anatomical area of the selected region of interest containing CSF, the interior anatomical outline surrounding the center location, wherein image pixels with an intensity value greater than the mean intensity value by a first threshold amount are designated as part of the interior anatomical outline, and wherein a perimeter of the interior anatomical outline encloses the center location; and

determining an exterior anatomical outline of the anatomical area of the selected region of interest containing CSF, the exterior anatomical outline surrounding the interior anatomical outline, wherein image pixels with an intensity value less than the mean intensity value by a second threshold amount are designated as part of the exterior anatomical outline, wherein a perimeter of the exterior anatomical outline encloses the interior anatomical outline.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more pixels are derived from T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging signals.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein calculating the mean intensity value comprises calculating a three-by-three neighborhood average of one or more pixels associated with a central location of the spinal cord.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein determining the interior anatomical outline comprises comparing the image pixel intensity of one or more pixels associated with the selected region of interest with the mean intensity value.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein pixels of the selected region of interest with intensity values 50% above the mean intensity value are designated as part of the interior anatomical outline.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein pixels of the selected region of interest with intensity values 25% below the mean intensity value are designated as part of the exterior anatomical outline.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the interior anatomical outline comprises performing a radial sweep through the one or more pixels about the central location.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the perimeter of the interior anatomical outline encloses the center location on an axial view of the selected region of interest, and wherein the perimeter of the exterior anatomical outline encloses the interior anatomical outline on the axial view of the selected region of interest.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected region of interest comprises the cerebro-spinal anatomy.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the cerebro-spinal anatomy comprises one or more of ventricles, cerebral aqueduct (or aqueduct of Sylvius), spinal canal, the sub-arachnoid space, the epidural space, the cerebello-medullary cistern, foramen of Monro, foramen of Magendie, and foramen magnum.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic resonance imaging signals are acquired while the subject is in an upright position.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the upright position is selected from the group consisting of a sitting position and a standing position.