Graph cut-based segmentation for intervertebral disc in human MRI

We introduce an automated algorithm for the 2D segmentation of both healthy and degenerated lumbar intervertebral discs (IVD) from T2-weighted Turbo Spin Echo(TSE) sagittal spine Magnetic Resonance Images (MRIs). Our approach employs a fast algorithm addressing the s-t max-flow/min-cut problem, inco...

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Main Authors: Leena Silvoster, R. Mathusoothan S. Kumar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering: Imaging & Visualization
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21681163.2025.2475992
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author Leena Silvoster
R. Mathusoothan S. Kumar
author_facet Leena Silvoster
R. Mathusoothan S. Kumar
author_sort Leena Silvoster
collection DOAJ
description We introduce an automated algorithm for the 2D segmentation of both healthy and degenerated lumbar intervertebral discs (IVD) from T2-weighted Turbo Spin Echo(TSE) sagittal spine Magnetic Resonance Images (MRIs). Our approach employs a fast algorithm addressing the s-t max-flow/min-cut problem, incorporating anatomical knowledge of soft tissues in the human body. In the initial phase, preprocessing is applied to the input image to eliminate intensity inhomogeneity and noise. A graph is then constructed from the image pixels, and seed points are automatically initialised using a growing bounding box. In the second phase, the method applies the s-t max-flow/min-cut algorithm to separate an IVD from the background. This method effectively detects degenerated and healthy IVDs by applying the s-t max-flow/min-cut algorithm within a directed graph. The polynomial time complexity of this approach enables the exploration of a globally optimal solution, eliminating the need for user interaction in seed point selection. Validation of the algorithm on a dataset of 15 patients demonstrates its efficient segmentation performance, achieving a Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) of 89%.
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series Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering: Imaging & Visualization
spelling doaj-art-a8ab3da7d7044769b3f3f90729d083e92025-08-20T03:20:30ZengTaylor & Francis GroupComputer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering: Imaging & Visualization2168-11632168-11712025-12-0113110.1080/21681163.2025.2475992Graph cut-based segmentation for intervertebral disc in human MRILeena Silvoster0R. Mathusoothan S. Kumar1Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering Attingal, IndiaDepartment of Information Technology, Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education, IndiaWe introduce an automated algorithm for the 2D segmentation of both healthy and degenerated lumbar intervertebral discs (IVD) from T2-weighted Turbo Spin Echo(TSE) sagittal spine Magnetic Resonance Images (MRIs). Our approach employs a fast algorithm addressing the s-t max-flow/min-cut problem, incorporating anatomical knowledge of soft tissues in the human body. In the initial phase, preprocessing is applied to the input image to eliminate intensity inhomogeneity and noise. A graph is then constructed from the image pixels, and seed points are automatically initialised using a growing bounding box. In the second phase, the method applies the s-t max-flow/min-cut algorithm to separate an IVD from the background. This method effectively detects degenerated and healthy IVDs by applying the s-t max-flow/min-cut algorithm within a directed graph. The polynomial time complexity of this approach enables the exploration of a globally optimal solution, eliminating the need for user interaction in seed point selection. Validation of the algorithm on a dataset of 15 patients demonstrates its efficient segmentation performance, achieving a Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) of 89%.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21681163.2025.2475992Magnetic resonance imaginglumbar intervertebral discgraph-cutintervertebral disc degeneration
spellingShingle Leena Silvoster
R. Mathusoothan S. Kumar
Graph cut-based segmentation for intervertebral disc in human MRI
Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering: Imaging & Visualization
Magnetic resonance imaging
lumbar intervertebral disc
graph-cut
intervertebral disc degeneration
title Graph cut-based segmentation for intervertebral disc in human MRI
title_full Graph cut-based segmentation for intervertebral disc in human MRI
title_fullStr Graph cut-based segmentation for intervertebral disc in human MRI
title_full_unstemmed Graph cut-based segmentation for intervertebral disc in human MRI
title_short Graph cut-based segmentation for intervertebral disc in human MRI
title_sort graph cut based segmentation for intervertebral disc in human mri
topic Magnetic resonance imaging
lumbar intervertebral disc
graph-cut
intervertebral disc degeneration
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21681163.2025.2475992
work_keys_str_mv AT leenasilvoster graphcutbasedsegmentationforintervertebraldiscinhumanmri
AT rmathusoothanskumar graphcutbasedsegmentationforintervertebraldiscinhumanmri