Automated segmentation of colonic walls for computerized detection of polyps in CT colonography

Purpose: A new method for fully automated segmentation of the colonic walls in volumetric CT data was developed for limitation of the search space in computerized detection of polyps. Method: For reliable segmentation, an anatomy-oriented approach was used, i n which several anatomical structures are segmented in addition to the colo n for utilization of their properties. Results: The segmentation method was validated by use of 14 data sets, cons isting of cases positive for colonic polyps. We found that the segmented co lonic walls included all of the polyps. A subjective rating of the results was performed based on several criteria for visualization of anatomic detai l of the colonic wall and mucosal surface. Except for a few cases in which insufflation of the colon was insufficient, all of the results included > 9 5% of the colonic walls. Conclusion: This method for colonic wall segmentation is reliable and the s egmentation results are applicable in both visualization of the colon and c omputer-aided diagnosis in the detection of polyps in CT colonography.