Researchers Develop Algorithm for Automatic Anatomic Knee Measurements on CT Datasets

To further capitalize on this technology, researchers at Johns Hopkins University have created an algorithm for automatic anatomical measurements in tomographic datasets of the knee.  “The algorithm uses a set of atlases, each consisting of a knee image, surface segmentations of the bones, and locations of landmarks required by the anatomical metrics,”  according to the study, which was published in Journal of Medical Imaging. The algorithm was able to detect tibial slope and static alignment. as well as tibial-tuberosity trochlear groove distance and medial tibial depth, with few errors. The authors believe that the “automatic approach is anticipated to improve measurement workflow and mitigate the effects of operator experience and training on reliability of the metrics.”