Visualizing Neuronal Structures in the Human Brain
via Diffusion Tensor MRI
Werner Benger, Hauke Bartsch, Hans-Christian Hege,
Hagen Kitzler, Anna Shumilina, Annett Werner
Abstract
Diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) is an evolving
data acquisition technique. It allows retrieving information about
neuronal tissues beyond conventional MR imaging. However, the
complexity of these data also challenges visualization technology.
In this article we review the fundamentals of the data acquisition
process and the pipeline leading to visual results that are
interpretable for physicians. The limitations of common approaches
to visualize the retrieved data are discussed. We present a new
numerical method to assess the reliability of an acquired tensor
field. Furthermore we propose a novel visualization method which
is discussed in the light of neurophysiological considerations on
the perception of color patterns. We argue that this method is more
accurate for medical data while providing a nearly optimal visual
stimulus. It is tested to analyze a tumor using DT-MRI data sets of
human brains from a clinical environment.
