Improved Guided Image Fusion for Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Imaging

Abstract

Medical images from different modalities reflect different levels of information (tissues, bones, etc.). A single modality cannot provide comprehensive and accurate information [1, 2]. For instance, structural images obtained from magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, computed tomography (CT), and ultrasonography, and so forth, provide high-resolution and anatomical information [1, 3]. On the other hand, functional images obtained from position emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and functional MR imaging, and so forth, provide low-spatial resolution and functional information [3, 4]. More precisely, CTimaging provides better information on denser tissuewith less distortion.MR images have more distortion but can provide information on soft tissue [5, 6]. For blood flowand flood activity analysis, PET is used which provide low space resolution. Therefore, combining anatomical and functional medical images through image fusion to extractmuch more useful information is desirable [5, 6]. Fusion of CT/MR images combines anatomical and physiological characteristics of human body. Similarly fusion of PET/CT is helpful for tumor activity analysis [7].