Training 3D Slicer and Bone Analysis Modules for Bone Erosion Point Identification in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

To begin, launch the 3D Slicer software, then launch the training module on the 3D Slicer's toolbar. Click on the dropdown menu to locate the bone analysis modules and hover the mouse above it, then click on training. Click Proceed to load all necessary files.

Next, hover over the input volume and select the volume dropdown menu and select a scan type. Choose the mask from the input mask select a volume dropdown menu. Verify the input volume against the measurement ID and the metacarpophalangeal joint in both sections.

Click on output erosions select a segmentation to create a new output segmentation. Then click the dropdown menu and select Create New Segmentation. Now click on the dropdown menu labeled Seed Points None, and then choose Create New Point List to create a new seed point.

Scroll through the slices, pinpoint erosion sites, and press the red dot blue drop button to place the seed point in the corresponding area of interest. To change the seed point size, modify the percentage size in the text box labeled Seed Point Size. To reorient the image to the location of the seed point in the other two planes, hold down the Shift button as the cursor is being used to move the seed point.

After placing the seed points, click on the Get Erosions button to initiate the erosion measurement algorithm. When the measurements are complete, the module will provide feedback on the seed point placement. The module showed that erosion identification against expertly annotated images resulted in accurate feedback and segmented grayscale image.

However, incorrect seed point placement results in an error prompt indicative of no erosion. The module also accurately identified cysts when a seed point was placed on it. Wrong seed placement on the cyst resulted in a corresponding error prompt.

An insufficient number of seed point placements also resulted in corresponding error prompt.