{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: 3D Tortuosity computation as a shape descriptor and its application to brain structure analysis.
{Author}: Mateos MJ;Bribiesca E;Guzmán-Arenas A;Aguilar W;Marquez-Flores JA;
{Journal}: BMC Med Imaging
{Volume}: 24
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: 2024 Jun 4
{Factor}: 2.795
{DOI}: 10.1186/s12880-024-01312-6
{Abstract}: In this study, we propose a novel method for quantifying tortuosity in 3D voxelized objects. As a shape characteristic, tortuosity has been widely recognized as a valuable feature in image analysis, particularly in the field of medical imaging. Our proposed method extends the two-dimensional approach of the Slope Chain Code (SCC) which creates a one-dimensional representation of curves. The utility of 3D tortuosity ( τ 3 D   ) as a shape descriptor was investigated by characterizing brain structures. The results of the τ 3 D   computation on the central sulcus and the main lobes revealed significant differences between Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and control subjects, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for AD. We found a p < 0.05  for the left central sulcus and the four brain lobes.