Dr. Xavier Lladó
Associate Professor at the Computer Vision and Robotics Group

   Grup de Visio per Computador i Robotica
       Departament d'Arquitectura i Tecnologia de Computadors (ATC)
       Campus Montilivi - Edifici P-IV, Universitat de Girona
       17071 Girona, Spain.

   Phone: 00 34 972 418878 / fax: 00 34 972 418976

   llado{at}atc.udg.edu





  SALEM: Automatic Lesion Segmentation of Multiple Sclerosis in MRI Images  



Nowadays, it is well known the important role of MRI images for the supervision, evaluation and control of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS), as well as for evaluating the effect of a new therapeutic drug. Unfortunately, the typical medical inspection of a patient requires a "manual" analysis of the MRI images which implies a high time consumption. Furthermore, the inter and intra observer variability could complicate the analysis of the results from studies with several patients.

In the SALEM project we propose to develop and validate an automatic system for the detection, segmentation and description of MS lesions based on computer vision techniques. In particular, we aim to develop a computer aided tool in order to automatically detect and segment the MS lesions of the MRI images, and to provide a quantitative description and a qualitative description for each patient. On the other hand, the AVALEM project aims to automatically evaluate and quantify the atrophy of the patients and their evolution in time.

The developed tools will be tested and evaluated exhaustively in the Hospital centers involved in the project, which are reference centers in Catalonia within the Multiple Sclerosis research field ( Hospital Dr. Josep Trueta, Clinica Girona and Hospital Vall d'Hebron ).

  Main Goal  

    To introduce improvements in the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis, visualitzation and valorization

    SALEM: Specific objectives

    • Development of MS lesion segmentation tools
    • Temporal registration. Evolution and quantification of MS lesions
    • Automatization of the processes

  Research Lines  

      MS Lesion Segmentation

      • Development of MRI preprocessing techniques
      • Development of Atlas based segmentation algorithms
      • Inclusion of spatial information
      • MS lesion quantification
      MS Evolution and quantification

      • Development of MRI preprocessing techniques
      • Development of registration techniques
      • Lesion volumetry
      • Tissue quantification

  Human Resources  

  Publications, Conferences and Seminars  

  • [NR 2012] X. Lladó, O. Ganiler, A. Oliver, R. Martí, J. Freixenet, L. Valls, J.C. Vilanova, Ll. Ramió-Torrentà, A. Rovira. "Automated detection of multiple sclerosis lesions in serial brain MRI". Neuroradiology, In press. JCR RNMMI IF 2.870, Q2(33/113), 2012. (pdf 100 KB)
     
  • [INFSCI 2012] X. Lladó, A. Oliver, M. Cabezas, J. Freixenet, J.C. Vilanova, A. Quiles, L. Valls, Ll. Ramió-Torrentà, A. Rovira. "Segmentation of multiple sclerosis lesions in brain MRI: a review of automated approaches". Information Sciences, 186(1), pp. 164-185, JCR CSIS IF 2.836, Q1(10/128), 2012. (pdf 836 KB)
     
  • [CMPB 2011] M. Cabezas, A. Oliver, X. Lladó, J. Freixenet, M. Bach-Cuadra. "A review of atlas-based segmentation for magnetic resonance brain images" Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine, 104(3), pp e158-e177. JCR CSTM IF 1.238, Q2(37/97), 2011. (pdf 1190 KB)
     
  • [ECTRIMS 2011] X. Lladó, O. Ganiler, A. Oliver, M. Cabezas, J. Freixenet, J.C. Vilanova, L. Valls, Ll. Ramió-Torrentà, and A. Rovira. "Computer-assisted strategies to automated quantification of multiple sclerosis lesion evolution on brain magnetic resonance imaging". ECTRIMS. Multiple Sclerosis. To appear. Amsterdam, The Netherlands. October 2011.
     
  • [ECTRIMS 2011] M. Cabezas, M. Bach-Cuadra, A. Oliver, X. Lladó, J. Freixenet, J.C. Vilanova, L. Valls, Ll. Ramió-Torrentà, E. Huerga, D. Pareto, and A. Rovira. "A pipeline approach with spatial information for segmenting multiple sclerosis lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging". ECTRIMS. Multiple Sclerosis. To appear. Amsterdam, The Netherlands. October 2011.
     
  • [SEN 2011] X. Lladó, O. Ganiler, A. Oliver, M. Cabezas, J. Freixenet, J.C. Vilanova, L. Valls, Ll. Ramió-Torrentà, and A. Rovira."Técnicas automáticas de segmentación de lesiones de EM y de cuantificación volumétrica en estudios temporales.". In Reunión anual Sociedad Espanola Neurología (SEN). 15-19 Noviembre 2011.
     
  • [SEN 2011] J. Freixenet, M. Cabezas, M. Bach-Cuadra, A. Oliver, X. Lladó, J.C. Vilanova, L. Valls, Ll. Ramió-Torrentà, E. Huerga, D. Pareto, and A. Rovira. "Segmentación de lesiones de esclerosis múltiple en resonancia magnética del cerebro mediante información espacial". In Reunión anual Sociedad Espanola Neurología (SEN). 15-19 Noviembre 2011.
     
  • [TIC Salut 2011] X.Lladó. "Proyecto SALEM: Segmentación de lesiones de esclerosis múltiple en resonancia magnética del cerebro". In II Jornada R+D+i en TIC Salut realizada en el Parque Científico y Tecnológico de la Universidad de Girona. 4 y 5 de Mayo de 2011.
     
  • [Trueta 2011] X.Lladó, A.Oliver, J.Freixenet, M.Cabezas, O. Ganiler. "Proyecto SALEM". Seminario en la jornada EMGI: Esclerosis Múltiple de Girona del Hospital Dr. Josep Trueta de Girona. 07/04/2011. Ponente: X. Lladó.
     
  • [JEMGI 2011] X.Lladó, A.Oliver, J.Freixenet, M.Cabezas, O. Ganiler. "Técnicas de segmentación automática de imágenes de RM Neurológicas". Ponencia invitada en la I Jornada de Esclerosis Múltiple de Girona celebrada en Pals (Girona), el 15/07/2011. Ponente: X. Lladó.
     
  • [ECTRIMS 2010] X. Lladó, M. Cabezas, O. Ganiler, A. Oliver, J. Freixenet, J.C. Vilanova, A. Quiles, Ll. Ramió-Torrenta, A. Rovira. "Strategies for Automated Segmentation of Multiple Sclerosis Lesions on Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging". ECTRIMS. Multiple Sclerosis, vol 16(10) S256, Gothenburg, Sweden, October, 2010.

  Postdocs and PhD Students  

  • [2011-2012] Yago Diez. Postdoc: Brain MRI Registration in patients with multiple Sclerosis Lesions.
  • [2010-2013] Mariano Cabezas. PhD: Atlas-based Segmentation of Multiple Sclerosis Lesions in Brain MRI. Codirected by Dr. A. Oliver
  • [2010-2013] Onur Ganiler. PhD: Multiple Sclerosis Lesion quantification in Temporal MRI Studies

  Supervised Master Thesis and Degree Projects  

  • [EINF 2011] E. Roura. "Registre d'imatges de difusió en pacients amb lesions d'esclerosi múltiple (EM)". Codirected by C. Wheeler-Kingshott. EINF. 2011.
  • [EINF 2011] C. Fontanella. "Segmentació semiautomatica de lesions d'esclerosi múltiple en MRI". Codirected by A. Oliver. EINF. 2011.
  • [MIIACS 2010] M. Cabezas. "Atlas-based segmentation of brain MRI. Application to multiple sclerosis". Codirected by A. Oliver. MIIACS Master, 2010.
  • [EINF 2009] M. Cabezas. "Mètodes de segmentació aplicats a MRI d'esclerosi múltiple". Codirected by A. Oliver. EINF. 2009.
  • [ETIS 2009] M.A. Doblado. "Segmentació de teixit i lesions en imatges de MRI de malalts d'esclerosis múltiple". Codirected by J. Freixenet. ETIS. 2009.



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