Estimation of independent non-linear deformation modes for analysis of craniofacial malformations in crouzon mice



AbstractCrouzon syndrome is a genetic disease resulting in premature
fusion of cranial sutures and synchondroses causing
craniosynostosis. A decade ago the Crouzon gene was discovered,
and recently the first mouse model of the syndrome was generated.
In this study, a set of Micro CT scannings of the heads of
wild-type (normal) mice and Crouzon mice were investigated.

We present for what we believe is the first time, a statistical
deformation model based on independent component analysis (ICA). A
set of deformation parameters for each mouse was calculated using
a B-spline-based nonrigid registration. From the parameters
controlling the deformations for each subject, the statistical
model was estimated.

ICA is demonstrated to provide localized deformation components,
many of which give a clear separation between Crouzon and
wild-type mice. This is a clear improvement of a previous
principal component-based model, which only provided one global
deformation component describing the disease. The ICA components
allow interpretation of each deformation feature to be carried out
independently of other features, and provides a basis for linking
the observed craniofacial malformations to the fusing of sutures.
ICA revealed an interesting new finding, not previously reported
in the literature, namely asymmetries in the head in Crouzon mice.
This phenomenon is probably caused by asymmetric closure of
craniofacial sutures.
KeywordsStatistical deformation model, independent component analysis, atlas, image registration
TypeConference paper [With referee]
Conference2007 IEEE International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging
EditorsMiles Wernick, Jeffrey A. Fessler
Year2007    Month May
PublisherIEEE
BibTeX data [bibtex]
IMM Group(s)Image Analysis & Computer Graphics