Automatic extraction of cerebral arteries from magnetic resonance angiography data: Algorithm and validation

We present a cerebral vasculature extraction method from magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and provide validation for arteries. After reviewing the state-of-the-art in vasculature segmentation techniques, we introduce an automatic algorithm with robust maximal intensity searching and region growing. We present the details of the design and application of extraction validation interface. We demonstrate the artery extraction fidelity of the method with tests on both 3D phantom and real MRA images. We conclude by summarising the proposed algorithm and pointing out possible future pursuits in vessel segmentation. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.