Detection of pulmonary perfusion patterns in patients with pulmonary embolism by ultrafast CT

摘要

Abstract: This report outlines a method of automatically segmenting pulmonary perfusion regions from ultrafast CT data. Segmenting was performed by a k-means clustering of unenhanced, maximal enhancement and both parameters. Time density curves from distinct regions were generated and perfusion determined. In two example subjects with pulmonary embolism hypoperfused regions were identified. In a normal subject slight gravity related gradient hypoperfusion was also detected. These preliminary results suggest that automated segmentation of UFCT pulmonary perfusion scans is possible and could greatly improve the clinical utility of the scanning technology. !4