Individual flexor tendon identification within the carpal tunnel: A semi-automated analysis method for serial cross-section magnetic resonance images

Nicole M Kunze; Jessica E Goetz; Daniel R Thedens; Thomas E Baer; Ericka A Lawler; Thomas D Brown

doi:10.2147/orr.s7386

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Individual flexor tendon identification within the carpal tunnel: A semi-automated analysis method for serial cross-section magnetic resonance images

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Individual flexor tendon identification within the carpal tunnel: A semi-automated analysis method for serial cross-section magnetic resonance images

Nicole M Kunze, Jessica E Goetz, Daniel R Thedens, Thomas E Baer, Ericka A Lawler and Thomas D Brown

Orthopedic research and reviews, Vol.1, pp.31-42

12/2009

DOI: 10.2147/orr.s7386

PMCID: PMC2917116

PMID: 20694056

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Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome is commonly viewed as resulting from chronic mechanical insult of the median nerve by adjacent anatomical structures. Both the median nerve and its surrounding soft tissue structures are well visualized on magnetic resonance (MR) images of the wrist and hand. Addressing nerve damage from impingement of flexor digitorum tendons co-occupying the tunnel is attractive, but to date has been restricted by lack of means for making individual identifications of the respective tendons. In this image analysis work, we have developed a region-growing method to positively identify each individual digital flexor tendon within the carpal tunnel by tracking it from a more distal MR section where the respective tendon identities are unambiguous. Illustratively, the new method was applied to MRI scans from four different subjects in a variety of hand poses. Conventional shape measures yielded less discriminatory information than did evaluations of individual tendon location and arrangement. This new method of rapid identification of individual tendons will facilitate analysis of tendon/nerve interactions within the tunnel, thereby providing better information about mechanical insult of the median nerve.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Region Growing

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Digital Flexor Tendons

Details

Title: Subtitle: Individual flexor tendon identification within the carpal tunnel: A semi-automated analysis method for serial cross-section magnetic resonance images
Creators: Nicole M Kunze - Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Jessica E Goetz - Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Daniel R Thedens - Department of Radiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Thomas E Baer - Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Ericka A Lawler - Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Thomas D Brown - Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Orthopedic research and reviews, Vol.1, pp.31-42
DOI: 10.2147/orr.s7386
PMID: 20694056
PMCID: PMC2917116
NLM abbreviation: Orthop Res Rev
ISSN: 1179-1462
eISSN: 1179-1462
Language: English
Date published: 12/2009
Academic Unit: Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Radiology; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Record Identifier: 9984040529802771

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