Diagnostic MR images of the lung are segmented to distinguish the airway tree from lung parenchyma. Diffusion weighted images of the lungs are acquired using hyperpolarized gas MRI and a segmentation image is produced from the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) image calculated from the diffusion weighted images. Voxels in the diagnostic MR images having an ADC above a selected amount.are segmented as being in the airway tree.
SEGMENTATION OF THE AIRWAY TREE USING HYPERPOLARIZED NOBLE GASES AND DIFFUSION WEIGHTED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING