Three-dimensional Vocal Tract Morphology Based on Multiple Magnetic Resonance Images Is Highly Reproducible During Sustained Phonation

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Alexander Mainka - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Carl Maria von WeberCollege of Music, Dresden (Author)
  • Ivan Platzek - , Institute and Polyclinic of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Willy Mattheus - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Carl Maria von WeberCollege of Music, Dresden (Author)
  • Mario Fleischer - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Ann Sophie Müller - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Dirk Mürbe - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Carl Maria von WeberCollege of Music, Dresden (Author)

Abstract

Objectives The extraction of a three-dimensional (3D) morphology of the human vocal tract (VT) from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during sustained phonation can be used for various analyses like numerical simulations or creating physical models. The precision of visualizing techniques nowadays allows for very targeted acoustical simulation evaluating the influence of subsections of the VT for the transfer function. The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of the 3D geometry based on MRI data in repetitive trials. Study Design This is a prospective study. Methods Four experienced singers underwent an MRI while repeating a specific vocal task 20 times consecutively. Audio recordings were made by means of an optical microphone. Images were restacked and subsections of the VT were segmented on multi-image–based cross sections using a semiautomatic algorithm. Different volume and area measures were evaluated. Results A high reproducibility of the morphologic data based on multiple images by means of the applied segmentation method could be shown with an overall variation of around 8%. Conclusions 3D modeling of the VT during sustained phonation involves a complex experimental setting and elaborate image processing techniques. Functional comparative analysis or acoustical simulations based on such data should take the found variability into account.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)504.e11-504.e20
JournalJournal of Voice
Volume31
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2017
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85007590724
PubMed 27988067

Keywords

Keywords

  • 3D, MRI, Phonation, Reproducibility, Vocal tract