ROI extraction from motion affected MRI images based on fuzzy and active contour models

A new method for extracting the boundary of the region of interest (ROI) from motion affected magnetic resonance images (MRI) is presented. An image pre-processing stage is included to suppress prominent ghost artifacts and excessive blurring in the background, in order to facilitate the contour extraction algorithm. The pre-processing stage consists of a novel fuzzy model, incorporating a technique of hierarchical view by view image reconstruction. The contour extraction is performed using an intelligent, attractable active contour model (snakes), which is capable of driving any initial guess in the area of the evolving estimate towards the desired contour, and fitting in to the object without any overrun. The proposed method has been applied to spin echo MRI images affected by rotational motion, producing good results.