CT-PET Landmark-based Lung Registration Using a Dynamic Breathing Model

This paper deals with the problem of non-linear landmark-based registration of CT (at two different instants of the breathing cycle, intermediate expirations) and PET images of thoracic regions. We propose a general method to introduce a breathing model in a registration procedure in order to simulate the instant in the breathing cycle most similar to the PET image and guarantee physiologically plausible deformations. Initial results are very promising and demonstrate the interest of this method to improve the combination of anatomical and functional images for diagnosis and oncology applications.