Method for standardizing the MR image intensity scale

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for standardizing MR image intensity scales by the use of post-processing intensity transformation techniques applied to routinely acquired images. The method requires neither specialized acquisition protocols, nor calibration phantoms. The standardizing method offers previously unattainable consistency of intensity meaning of tissues by devising a transformation that is specific to a given MRI protocol and/or for any body region to provide standardized images. Essentially, the histogram of a given volume image is deformed to match a “standard” histogram for the corresponding MRI protocol and body-region, thereby minimizing or eliminating the human interaction required in the per-case manual window adjustments needed to visualize MR images at physician viewing stations. The method offers significantly more consistent tissue meaning for MR image intensities than the images before standardization. Also provided are MR images having standardized intensity scales.

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