Applications: Tumor Visualization - Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute

Tumor Visualization

In 2001 the SCI Institute was approached to use the Institute's advanced visualization techniques to assist with the planning of a tumor operation being performed on a young girl at Primary Children's Hospital. Using SCIRun, we were able to interactively visualize 3-D MRI data for the surgeon on our 8 ft by 10 ft screen. This visualization aided the surgeon in planning the operation. In fact, the surgeon stated that by utilizing the Institute's technology “it was his first night of sleep in 23 years of surgery, that he actually knew where to go and get the tumor out.” While the operation was largely successful, remnants of the tumor have started to grow again and further surgical procedures and chemotherapy are now being pursued.

Again, the SCI Institute, through its NIH NCRR Center for Bioelectric Field Modeling, Simulation and Visualization had an opportunity to help with this patient's care. In this demonstration, we use BioPSE to comparatively visualize the little girl's brain tumor over time. Several MRI scans are compared in this example including a scan done for the initial diagnosis of the tumor; a scan done 1 year after the tumor diagnosis; a scan done after a surgical resection of the tumor; and finally, a scan done post resection and post chemotherapy treatment. The sets of 2D MRI slices (some with poor resolution) were rendered into 3D volumes and co-registered using a variety of anatomical landmarks. After registration, isosurface algorithms were used to isolate the tumor in each volume. As can be seen in the images, the tumor grows considerably over the year between diagnosis and resection. Additionally, it can be seen that the tumor resection is not complete. The next step in this work will be the examination of the volume after chemotherapy is completed and at time-steps thereafter. It is hoped that using sophisticated co-registering and isosurfacing and rendering algorithms, we can provide a visualization that allows for better size comparisons over time providing for more accurate estimates of tumor growth.

Governor Leavitt (shown with Natalie) recognized the contribution of the SCI Institute visualization technology and the innovations of its developers in his State of the State address the following year.

Photo Courteousy of Paul Fraughton/
The Salt Lake Tribune