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, in which several anatomical structures are segmented in addition to the colon for utilization of their properties. Results: The segmentation method was validated by use of 14 data sets, consisting of cases positive for colonic polyps. We found that the segmented colonic walls included all of the polyps. A subjective rating of the results was performed based on several criteria for visualization of anatomic detail 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 > 95% of the colonic walls. Conclusion: This method for colonic wall segmentation is reliable and the segmentation results are applicable in both visualization of the colon and computer-aided diagnosis in the detection of polyps in CT colonography.