Validation of Automated White Matter Hyperintensity Segmentation

• Main Authors: Sean D. Smart, Michael J. Firbank, John T. O'Brien
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2011-01-01
• Series: Journal of Aging Research
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2011/391783

Introduction. White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are a common finding on MRI scans of older people and are associated with vascular disease. We compared 3 methods for automatically segmenting WMHs from MRI scans. Method. An operator manually segmented WMHs on MRI images from a 3T scanner. The scans were also segmented in a fully automated fashion by three different programmes. The voxel overlap between manual and automated segmentation was compared. Results. Between observer overlap ratio was 63%. Using our previously described in-house software, we had overlap of 62.2%. We investigated the use of a modified version of SPM segmentation; however, this was not successful, with only 14% overlap. Discussion. Using our previously reported software, we demonstrated good segmentation of WMHs in a fully automated fashion.