Quantification method of vessel calcification
View Patent ↗A method that allows the quantification of the true mass of a calcium fragment located along a vessel is provided. The method is independent of the level of arterial contrast enhancement, does not require protocol-specific or scanner-specific calibration scans, and allows a detailed analysis of calcium distribution patterns. For each identified calcium fragment, the average intensity and volume is determined as a function of a plurality of intensity thresholds. Using these determined values brightness volume products are calculated for each of the plurality of intensity thresholds. The mass of a calcium segment is subsequently obtained from the calculated brightness volume products extrapolated at zero intensity and reference calcium parameters. The mass and volume of the calcium fragments could be visualized with respect to a vessel in a computer display.
1. A method for quantifying calcification, comprising the steps of:
(a) identifying a calcium fragment in an image;
(b) determining the average intensity and volume for said calcium fragment as a function of a plurality of intensity thresholds;
(c) calculating brightness volume products defined as the product of said determined average intensity and said determined volume for each of said plurality of intensity thresholds; and
(d) obtaining the mass of said calcium segment from said calculated brightness volume products extrapolated at zero intensity and reference calcium parameters.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said calcium fragment is identified inside a vessel or outside a vessel.
3. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said calcium fragment is identified with respect to a systemic artery.
4. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said image is obtained through Computed Tomography Angiography.
5. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said mass and said volume of said calcium fragment are visualized with respect to a vessel.
6. A method for determining and displaying calcium distribution patterns in a vessel, comprising the steps of:
(a) identifying a plurality of calcium fragments in a vessel image;
(b) determining average intensities and volumes for each of said calcium fragments as a function of a plurality of intensity thresholds;
(c) calculating brightness volume products for each of said calcium fragments defined as the product of said determined average intensity and said determined volume for each of said plurality of intensity thresholds;
(d) obtaining the mass of each of said calcium segment from said calculated brightness volume products extrapolated at zero intensity and reference calcium parameters; and
(e) displaying said masses and volumes of said calcium fragments along with said vessel.
7. The method as set forth in claim 6 , wherein said calcium fragments are identified with respect to a systemic artery.
8. The method as set forth in claim 6 , wherein said image is obtained through Computed Tomography Angiography.