A non-rigid registration algorithm for dynamic breast MR images

Magnetic resonance image analysis is a promising technique for diagnosing breast cancer, particularly in women for whom X-ray mammography is ineffective. If breast motion is not corrected for, diagnostic accuracy is significantly reduced. In this paper, we analyse the kinds of motion that arise during image formation and we describe a model based non-rigid registration algorithm to estimate and correct for breast motion. Registration of breast MR images is complicated by the use of a contrast agent which results in a non-uniform increase in intensity across the image. The work described here forms part of an implemented breast MR analysis system which allows automatic detection and segmentation of regions of focal enhancement and non-rigid image registration. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.