Automated assessment of small bowel motility function based on three-dimensional zero-mean normalized cross correlation

In this paper, we propose an automated method for assessment of small bowel contraction movement based on a three-dimensional zero-mean normalized cross correlation method (3D-ZNCC) with cine-MRI. The correlation value between frames is proportional to area change of the small bowel and the temporal area change can be used as a measure of the small bowel contraction movement. In the conventional two-dimensional zero-mean normalized correlation (2D-ZNCC) method, only frame A and frame B are used for calculation of correlation between frame A and frame B. Since a complex shape change of the intestine is irregular, it was difficult to detect contraction movement. In order to solve this problem, we propose to use 3D ZNCC, in which sequence frames are used for correlation calculations instead of single frame. Since not only spatial changes, but also temporal changes are included, we can detect the contraction movement correctly. Experimental results show that our method is better than conventional method.