Intelligent automatic registration: is it feasible and efficient for application of ultrasound fusion imaging in liver?

PURPOSE

To evaluate the feasibility and efficiency between the two intelligent auto-registrations (based on hepatic vessels or based on liver surface) and manual registration for US-CT/MR fusion imaging of liver tumours.

METHODS

From May 2017 to December 2017, 30 patients with 30 liver tumours were enrolled in this prospectively study. Two intelligent auto-registrations (based on hepatic vessels or based on liver surface) and manual registration were randomly performed, the registration success rate and efficiency were compared.

RESULTS

In terms of success rate, auto-registrations based on the hepatic vessels (80%) was lower than auto-registration base on liver surface and manual registration (96.67%), but with no statistical difference (P = 0.125). In comparison of the registration efficiency, the efficiency of the auto-registration based on the hepatic vessels was superior to auto-registration based on liver surface and manual registration (P < 0.05). The one-step success rate of auto-registration based on the hepatic vessels (53.33%, 16/30) was higher than that of other two registrations (P < 0.05). Stratified analysis showed that, for the lesion with display of hepatic vessels in grade 3, the success rate of auto-registration based on vessels (0%) was lower than that of auto-registration based on liver surface and manual registration (100%) (P = 0.031).

CONCLUSION

Intelligent auto-registration based on hepatic vessels is a feasible and efficient registration method for US-CT/MR fusion imaging of liver tumours for the patients with clear hepatic vessels. The auto-registration based on liver surface and manual registration can be an effective supplement for cases with poor hepatic vessels display.