A point-wise quantification of asymmetry using deformation fields: application to the study of the Crouzon mouse model

This paper introduces a novel approach to quantify asymmetry in each point of a surface. The measure is based on analysing displacement vectors resulting from nonrigid image registration. A symmetric atlas, generated from control subjects is registered to a given subject image. A comparison of the resulting displacement vectors on the left and right side of the symmetry plane, gives a point-wise measure of asymmetry.

The asymmetry measure was applied to the study of Crouzon syndrome using Micro CT scans of genetically modified mice. Crouzon syndrome is characterised by the premature fusion of cranial sutures, which gives rise to a highly asymmetric growth. Quantification and localisation of this asymmetry is of high value with respect to surgery planning and treatment evaluation.

Using the proposed method, asymmetry was calculated in each point of the surface of Crouzon mice and wild-type mice (controls). Asymmetry appeared in similar regions for the two groups but the Crouzon mice were found significantly more asymmetric. The localisation ability of the method was in good agreement with ratings from a clinical expert.

Validating the quantification ability is a less trivial task due to the lack of a gold standard. Nevertheless, a comparison with a different, but less accurate measure of asymmetry revealed good correlation.