DE102009023504A1 - Method for determination of dimensional value of e.g. blockages of wall of hollow organ, involves determining dimension value based on profile process curve and ideal profile value - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves determining a process line (5) in an image data of a section of a hollow organ (1), which includes an area concerned with abnormality (3). Contours of the hollow organ are determined along the section. A profile process curve of the section is determined based on the contours. An ideal profile value of the hollow organ is determined for a location in a surrounding area around the abnormality from the profile process curve. The dimension value is determined based on the profile process curve and the ideal profile value. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a dimension determination mechanism for determination of a dimension value of an abnormality in a hollow organ (2) a computer program product comprising program codes for executing steps involved in a method for determination of a dimensional value of an abnormality in a hollow organ.

Description

The The present invention relates to a method for determining a Dimensional value of an abnormality in a hollow organ. In addition, it relates to a dimension determining device for the same purpose.

The Knowledge of dimensional values of abnormalities in hollow organs is often an important requirement for the Assess the quality of such abnormalities. For example, abnormalities are extensions, about aneurysms in blood vessels, or constrictions or Blockages of the hollow organ walls, such as caused by Lesions or by deposits or by other types Foreign body understood in the hollow organ. A very important one Basis for the evaluation of the severity of a pathological Abnormality is the determination of dimensional values in Stenoses, d. H. in vasoconstriction, in arteries.

A preferred dimension value for assessing stenoses is, for example, the size relation between the lumen of an artery in the region of a stenosis and the lumen in a "normal", ie healthy, region of this hollow organ, as in US Pat US 4,692,864 proposed. For the exact determination of this size relation, however, it is necessary on the one hand to measure the lumen precisely where the stenosis has its greatest extent and, moreover, to determine a suitable reference value which suitably represents the "normal" region of the hollow organ. This determination has hitherto been carried out essentially on the basis of human experience and was extremely complicated: If the greatest extent of a stenosis can still be detected relatively precisely with the naked eye by means of image data, then it is at least a tightrope walk, a truly representative healthy region of the hollow organ define, since the lumen of hollow organs constantly varies and, for example, depends on the number of branches, which lie before or behind a region of the hollow organ to be examined. In general, it can be assumed that the lumen of an artery becomes smaller the farther it is from the heart. To select a truly representative site from which to derive comparative data on the area affected by the stenosis under these circumstances, therefore, is again a very demanding challenge from case to case, which can also lead to errors in the estimation. Today it is roughly assumed that with a passage of only 25% of the usual amount, ie with a corresponding lumen reduction to 25% of the normal level, a critical situation occurs for patients leading to a total occlusion of a blood vessel can lead.

Moreover, such an evaluation is time consuming. The US 5,872,861 describes a method by means of which stenoses can be detected automatically. Intensity values of angiographic image data along a midline of a blood vessel are analyzed. However, this method is primarily for the detection of stenoses; it does not generate a statement about a representative healthy lumen of this hollow organ. On the contrary, a statement about the quality of a detected stenosis, which is based on the blood flow represented by the intensity values, may possibly be made here. However, since such data are only indirectly determined values, this method also encounters limits of measurement accuracy, which can be of enormous importance in such critical applications.

task Therefore, the present invention is a possibility to provide, with the help of those with the least possible Effort a sufficiently precise determination of a dimension value of a Hollow organ can be achieved in the range of abnormalities can.

These Task is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and by a dimension determination device according to claim 14 solved.

• a) Bestimmung einer Verlaufslinie in Bilddaten, vorzugsweise der Mittellinie, zumindest eines Abschnitts des Hohlorgans, welcher Abschnitt zumindest den betreffenden Bereich des Hohlorgans mit der Abnormalität umfasst,
• b) Ermittlung von Konturen des Hohlorgans entlang des Abschnitts,
• c) Ermittlung einer Profil-Verlaufskurve des Abschnitts des Hohlorgans auf Basis der Konturen,
• d) Ermittlung eines Ideal-Profilwerts des Hohlorgans für einen Ort, d. h. einen Punkt oder einen Bereich, in einem Umgebungsbereich um die Abnormalität aus der Profil-Verlaufskurve,
• e) Ermittlung des Abmessungswerts auf Basis der Profil-Verlaufskurve und des Ideal-Profilwerts.

Accordingly, a dimensional value, preferably a relative size like the above, of an abnormality in a hollow organ is determined by at least the following steps:

• a) determining a course line in image data, preferably the center line, of at least one section of the hollow organ, which section comprises at least the relevant area of the hollow organ with the abnormality,
• b) determination of contours of the hollow organ along the section,
• c) determination of a profile curve of the portion of the hollow organ based on the contours,
• d) determining an ideal profile value of the hollow organ for a location, ie a point or a region, in a surrounding area around the abnormality from the profile progression curve,
• e) Determining the dimension value based on the profile trajectory and the ideal profile value.

When Abnormality is preferably a lesion and / or narrowing or widening in or on a wall of the Measure hollow organ. The relative size becomes preferably in relation to reference dimensions of the hollow organ determined. The portion of the hollow organ can be both a partial area of the entire organ as well as the entire organ.

In the method, one thus uses as far as possible, preferably complete Automation of processes on the basis of image data, preferably volume image data, from a medical-technical imaging system. Such imaging systems include all types of tomography systems such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or similar radiological systems, including ultrasound devices and the like.

With Help this automation and the reliable database in the form of image data can be very much in the context of the procedure precise information about the size (s) of the Abnormality can be achieved. This is especially important therefore, that an ideal profile value of the hollow organ is determined, in steps b) and c) of the invention Based method, ie the formation of a profile of the hollow organ, instead of - as before - relatively arbitrary a most representative section of the To manually or visually select hollow organ. It happens a comprehensive automatic profile analysis of the hollow organ in the Environment of, for example, a stenosis. Thus, the absolute dimension for Example of the lumen of the hollow organ in the area of abnormality compared with a reliable reference value and from it derive a relative dimension value whose accuracy and representativeness as significantly higher can be regarded as in previous methods, with this no complicated process steps are necessary for the more complicated technical devices or program blocks would be necessary.

• – eine Eingangsschnittstelle für Bilddaten, vorzugsweise Volumen-Bilddaten, die einen Abschnitt des Hohlorgans umfassen,
• – eine Verlaufslinien-Bestimmungseinheit zur Bestimmung einer Verlaufslinie des Abschnitts des Hohlorgans,
• – eine Konturen-Ermittlungseinheit zur Ermittlung von Konturen des Abschnitts des Hohlorgans,
• – eine Verlaufskurven-Ermittlungseinheit zur Ermittlung einer Profil-Verlaufskurve des Abschnitts des Hohlorgans,
• – eine Ideal-Profilwert-Ermittlungseinheit zur Ermittlung eines Ideal-Profilwerts des Abschnitts des Hohlorgans,
• – eine Abmessungswert-Ermittlungseinheit zur Ermittlung des Abmessungswerts auf Basis der Profil-Verlaufskurve und des Ideal-Profilwerts.

Accordingly, a dimension determination device according to the invention for determining a dimension value of an abnormality in a hollow organ has at least the following components:

• An input interface for image data, preferably volume image data, which comprises a section of the hollow organ,
• A course-line determining unit for determining a course of the section of the hollow organ,
• A contour determination unit for determining contours of the portion of the hollow organ,
• A trajectory determination unit for determining a profile trajectory of the portion of the hollow organ,
• An ideal profile value determination unit for determining an ideal profile value of the portion of the hollow organ,
• A dimension value determination unit for determining the dimension value based on the profile trace and the ideal profile value.

The Dimension determination device thus has analogous to the determination method trained units. The mentioned interfaces must not necessarily designed as hardware components but can also be realized as software modules for example, if the image data from one on the same Device realized other component, such as one Image reconstruction device or the like, taken over can be passed to this other component only by software have to. Likewise, the interfaces can also consist of hardware and software components, such as a standard hardware interface provided by software for the concrete use is specially configured.

All in all Much of the components for realization the dimension determination device in the inventive Way, in particular the course-line determining unit, the contour-determining unit, the trajectory determination unit, the ideal profile value determination unit and the dimension value determination unit, in whole or in part Form of software modules can be realized on a processor.

The The invention therefore also includes a computer program product directly into a processor of a programmable dimension determiner is loadable, with program code means to all steps of an inventive Process if the program product on the Dimension determining device is executed.

Further particularly advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention also result from the dependent claims as well as the following description. In this case, the inventive Dimension determining device also according to the present Claims to be determined for determination method.

It For example, it has proved to be advantageous for the determination the history line to set a starting point in the environment of the Tissue fatigue lies. Such a starting point can over an input interface from external, for example with help a recognition unit based on recognition algorithms or be defined by an operator. Alternatively, the definition can also automated by a unit within the dimension determining device performed in the form of a starting point definition unit become. The human input has an interface the advantage of the direct participation of medical technology Skilled personnel, while an automated definition of externally or internally a higher speed and usually to ensure expected higher detection precision.

From time and process economic For reasons, it may furthermore be advantageous that the course of the curve is determined in at least one course direction of the hollow organ up to a predefined distance from the abnormality. Alternatively, the trajectory for the entire hollow organ would be determined or up to a point at which, for technical reasons, no trajectory can be determined. The predefined distance thus serves to predefine an examination area within which the method is carried out and then terminated, so that, for example, valuable computer time and capacity can be saved.

According to one preferred embodiment is to determine the ideal profile value adapted an approximate curve to the profile curve from which the ideal profile value is derived. Such Approximation curve in this case represents the Ideal course of the profile of the hollow organ, since, as mentioned above, in different areas of the hollow organ different average Profile values are available. These changes in the profile of the hollow organ over its course can through the approximate curve can be imaged so that at each Point along the part of the hollow organ to be examined Ideal profile value corresponding to the local conditions can be determined at the irregularities the profile of the hollow organ already equalized. The approximation curve can be realized for example as a logarithmic curve; especially However, the shape of a straight line is preferred, in particular the The advantage is that they are particularly representative of the overall course of the profile of the hollow organ may apply.

The Adjusting the approximation curve is particularly preferred on a regression analysis. It presents as a statistical analysis method a valid basis available with the help of which Orientation of the approximation curve optimally in relation to the profile profile can be set. It also provides an easy to handle and in the scope of processing image data from here mentioned imaging systems proven and proven Method. The regression analysis is based on the assumption that the lumen is approximately round.

Other Analysis methods such as a principal component analysis, a maximum likelihood estimation or an analysis using the maximum square Deviation is also possible, but first experiences with Test of the method according to the invention best ideal value estimates shown using regression analysis methods.

alternative It may also be advantageous to get an approximate curve be that the ideal profile value is determined to be a Averaging, for example the mean or the median or others Averaging values derived using averaging methods of values, preferably all image values, of the profile trace represents. By selecting an appropriate Mittelungsver procedure can also provide a sufficiently accurate representation of the Profile history are achieved, this selection is authoritative depends on the general characteristic of the hollow organ. For example, in a hollow organ such as the colon, the numerous, recurring natural indentations has and substantially its average thickness over retains the entire course, another averaging process used in arteries that are more regular in healthy condition are profiled and slowly narrow away from the heart.

Next the ideal profile value is in the invention Method prefers an abnormality profile value in one Cutting plane of the hollow organ determined by the abnormality runs in the place where the abnormality in the Essentially has its largest extent. From the abnormality profile value is then in proportion to the ideal profile value in this section plane the dimension value of Derived abnormality. This dimension value is it is therefore the relationship already mentioned above from a profile value for the hollow organ in the area of the abnormality to a profile value in a normal range. It will, however, now in addition to the more accurate determination of the profile value in the normal range in the form of the ideal profile value, also a more accurate abnormality profile value determined. This is done, for example, by careful analysis of the Profile trajectory, by which it can be determined at which Place a hollow organ has its narrowest or widest point. At This location determines the abnormality profile value. Because the accuracy of identifying such a location with the closest Profile depends significantly on how (eg in which Angle to the hollow organ profile) and at what pitches the profile of the hollow organ is determined, it may happen that not exactly the point with the smallest profile dimension are determined can. The place where the abnormality is "essentially" their has the largest extent, is therefore the place with the largest identified in the procedure Expansion.

The contours of the hollow organ are preferably determined by means of a pixel and / or voxel value analysis of individual pixels and / or voxels in an analysis region around the abnormality. This can be done for example by means of a histogram analysis based on gray values of a CT image. This analysis method is in the context of the processing of image data from imaging methods oh still a common and proven remedy. In this case, the pixel and / or voxel value analysis is particularly preferably carried out in such a way that limits of the analysis range of the analysis are determined by a predefined distance from the progression line. As a result, false analyzes can be detected and unnecessary analysis capacity can be saved. Alternatively, it is also possible to perform an attribution of pixels or voxels to specific areas (inner area, wall and outer area) of the hollow organ based on a predetermined, empirically determined threshold value in order to determine the hollow organ contours.

Preferably the profile trajectory will be based on values of at least one representative of the profile of the hollow organ Parameters determined along the course line. Especially preferred For example, the representative parameter includes a diameter and / or a cross-sectional area of the hollow organ. there are such sectional planes on which the diameter or the Cross-sectional area, preferably in always the same Angle on the history line. It can from the diameter by suitable (well-known in the art) approximation algorithms the cross-sectional area and the cross-sectional area the diameter of the hollow organ integrated or derived. Are the cutting planes always in the same relation to each other, like that at a position in always the same angle to the course line (preferably perpendicular to this line), the result is as follows Parameter values that are easy to relate to each other, so that a profile curve can be determined.

According to one first alternative are the values of the representative Determined parameters based on sectional planes through the hollow organ, which are at a constant distance from each other. This distance then defines the measurement accuracy of the method, preferably for capacity-economic reasons not should be infinitely high. The choice of a constant distance ensures that reliable in always the same steps a parameter value measurement is present, so that a kind of empirical basis for analysis exists.

A The second alternative, on the other hand, is that the values of the representative Parameters based on sectional planes determined by the hollow organ which are at a distance from each other, depending on Defined by the local diameter of the hollow organ becomes. This local diameter refers preferred to the diameter of the immediately before executed Section of a cutting plane. In other words, the tighter the hollow organ in a particular area is, the more often finds the feeding of cutting planes for the purpose of parameter determination instead of. This guarantees that the highest accuracy in the area of greatest narrowing is achieved for example, a stenosis to be examined. Corresponding in such a case, it is preferable as an abnormality profile value the smallest determined representative parameter value defined.

Especially in this case, it is preferred that the abnormality profile value a smallest diameter of the hollow organ, based on all determined cutting planes the hollow organ comprises, wherein in each sectional plane more by determined different rotation angle marked diameter become. The rotation angle is defined by a rotation of a Measuring line for measuring the diameter around the course line in a cutting plane. So it's not just a diameter of one determined each section, but several, each other at an angle stand. This is to ensure that not by accident a constriction remains unrecognized by the fact that the diameter in one Direction is determined in which the narrowing of the narrowest Effect shows, for example, perpendicular to this Direction of space a much smaller diameter in this sectional plane could be determined. It has proved to be particularly advantageous as part of that proved that the rotation angle in dependence of locally available parameter values of the respective ones Cutting planes are selected. Analogous to setting the distances between the individual cutting planes, therefore, here is a refinement of the measurement made, which in turn stands out, a particularly fine parameter value determination to ensure in the area in which the least Parameter values are present, so again, for example, the lowest Diameter.

The Invention will be described below with reference to the attached Figures on the basis of embodiments again in more detail explained. Here are the same in the different figures Components provided with identical reference numbers. Show it

1 a cross-sectional view of a hollow organ with a lesion obtained in the context of a computed tomography scan,

2 a three-dimensional view of a human heart obtained from image data of a computed tomography scan,

3 the sectional view from 1 with cross-sectional profiles of the hollow organ and a profile curve,

4 the same representation as in 3 in a different arrangement of the individual pixels and with a fitted to the profile curve straight,

5 a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dimension determination device according to the invention.

1 shows in sections a hollow organ 1 , here is an artery that is an abnormality 3 having in its wall in the form of a lesion. For this lesion a dimension value should be determined, namely the diameter of the artery 1 im through the lesion 3 caused narrowest area of the artery in relation to a reference diameter, referring to a representative (fictitious) diameter of the healthy hollow organ 1 refers.

For this purpose, in a first step, a history line 5 , here in the form of the midline of the artery 1 certainly. At an angle α (here a right angle) to this center line 5 can cut planes 4a . 4b . 4c be drawn in, on which the diameter of the hollow organ 1 determined at a certain place of its course.

According to the prior art, a survey would be made on the basis of practical experience, ie a person would be in the representation the narrowest point of the lumen of the hollow organ 1 estimate approximately and determine another point along the course, for example, where the lower section plane 4c lies. In each case, the area and / or the diameter at these two selected areas would then be determined and related to each other by division.

By contrast, in the method according to the invention, due to a high degree of automation, preferably a fully automatic procedure, significantly more precise dimensions are given to the lesion 3 generated as shown below.

In 2 is schematically based on a coronary artery of a heart 7 shown that, starting from a starting point 13 in the artery, which preferably lies as close as possible to the site of a lesion (not visible in the image), a progression line 5 is pulled in both directions of the artery. Along the extension of the course line, the analysis of the lumen of the artery can now be carried out.

For the section of the artery 1 out 1 this will be in the 3 and 4 exemplified.

In 3 are on the left side next to the image of the artery 1 five sectional images shown, each consisting of a section plane (not shown) of the artery 1 result. For each sectional plane, the cross-sectional area Q1, Q2,... Qn can be determined, as well as different diameters d1, d2, d3,... Dn, the dimensions of which depend on, at which angle of rotation about the center line 5 the straight lines lie whose length is to be determined as the diameter.

Right next to the image of the artery 1 is a profile progression curve 11 represented the artery. It results from a determination of the contours 9a . 9b of the hollow organ 1 and is determined, for example pixel by pixel or voxel for voxels along the hollow organ history. In order to work in terms of time and capacity, it is also possible to work out the contours 9a . 9b only at certain pixel or voxel intervals to determine and from the profile curve 11 derive. These intervals can either always be the same or be chosen as a function of locally available dimensional values of the hollow organ, for example of the local diameter. The smaller the hollow orifice diameter in a certain area, the more frequently the exact contours are determined. The determination of the contours can be done, for example, by means of a gray value analysis in the CT image data.

In the profile curve 11 Thus, the diameter or area of the hollow organ is determined along cutting planes, which are preferably always at the same angle to the progression line 5 stand. In the curve, first, the place 15 the smallest extent of the hollow organ 1 recognizable. A little further down is the starting point 13 indicated in advance to determine the history line 5 was defined (cf. 2 ).

From the profile curve 11 So it can be done locally 15 the smallest extent of the hollow organ 1 a parameter value can be determined, which is the absolute lumen value in the area of the stenosis 3 represents. In 4 (in addition, besides the mentioned cutting planes 4a . 4b . 4c also two more cutting planes 4d . 4e are shown, which correspond with the left-hand images), the determination of the associated reference value. For this purpose, an approximation curve in the form of a straight line is based on a regression analysis 17 to the profile curve 11 angefittet. It represents the ideal course of the hollow organ 1 , It can be seen that the lumen of the hollow organ 1 down becomes too small. On this straight 17 can be in parallel position to the place 15 a corresponding ideal profile value 19 for exactly this place 15 be read. The value of relative vasoconstriction of the artery 1 is the parameter value in place 15 divided by the corresponding ideal profile value 19 ,

It can be seen that the method according to the invention, which is carried out by way of example here, essentially automa without substantial input from the outside table can be performed by a dimension determination device. On the one hand, this results in the already mentioned effect of significantly higher precision and the comparability of data (also for statistical purposes) and, moreover, a significant time saving. The only input that may or may not be necessary is the entry of the starting point 13 ,

5 shows a schematic block diagram of a dimension determination device according to the invention 21 , Between an input interface 23 for image data BD and an output interface 35 for outputting dimension values AW, the following units are arranged in the form of software components which operate on a processor:
A history line determination unit 25 , a contour determination unit 27 , a trajectory determination unit 29 , an ideal profile value determination unit 31 and a dimension value determination unit 33 ,

Via the input interface 23 Image data BD, which includes the hollow organ, is supplied. Herein, the history-line determining unit determines 25 a history line 5 and the contour determination unit 27 determines the contours 9a . 9b of the hollow organ 1 , Out of the contours 9a . 9b As a result, the trajectory determination unit determines a profile trajectory curve 11 and the ideal profile value determination unit 31 an ideal profile value 19 of the hollow organ 1 as exemplified above, for example.

The dimension value determination unit 33 determines the desired dimension value AW based on the profile curve 11 and the ideal profile value 19 , preferably in that it receives a parameter value from the profile curve 11 with the ideal profile value 19 relates.

It Finally, it is pointed out again that it is the driving method described in detail above and in the illustrated driving system only to embodiments which is modified by the expert in a variety of ways can be without departing from the scope of the invention. It is also pointed out for the sake of completeness, that the use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" not excludes that the characteristics concerned several times can be present. Likewise, the term "unit" or "module" does not exclude that this consists of several components, if necessary also be spatially distributed.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 4692864 [0003]
• US 5872861 [0004]

Claims (15)

Method for determining a dimension value (AW) of an abnormality ( 3 ) in a hollow organ ( 1 ), comprising at least the following steps: a) Determination of a trajectory ( 5 ) in image data (BD) of at least a portion of the hollow organ ( 1 ), which section at least the relevant area of the hollow organ ( 1 ) with the abnormality ( 3 ), b) determination of contours ( 9a . 9b ) of the hollow organ ( 1 ) along the section, c) determination of a profile curve ( 11 ) of the portion of the hollow organ ( 1 ) based on the contours ( 9a . 9b ), d) determination of an ideal profile value ( 19 ) of the hollow organ ( 1 ) for a location in a surrounding area around the abnormality ( 3 ) from the profile curve ( 11 ) e) Determination of the dimension value (AW) on the basis of the profile curve ( 11 ) and the ideal profile value ( 19 ). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that for determining the ideal profile value ( 19 ) an approximate curve, preferably a straight line ( 17 ) to the profile curve ( 11 ), from which the ideal profile value ( 19 ) is derived. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the adaptation of the approximate curve ( 17 ) based on a regression analysis. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the ideal profile value ( 19 ) is determined to average the values of the profile curve ( 11 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an abnormality profile value ( 15 ) in a sectional plane of the hollow organ ( 1 ) determined by the abnormality ( 3 ) at the place where the abnormality ( 3 ) has substantially its greatest extent, and that from the abnormality profile value ( 15 ) in relation to the ideal profile value ( 19 ) the dimension value (AW) of the abnormality is derived. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contours ( 9a . 9b ) of the hollow organ ( 1 ) by means of a pixel and / or voxel value analysis of individual pixels and / or voxels in an analysis area around the abnormality ( 3 ) be determined. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profile curve ( 11 ) based on values of at least one for the profile of the hollow organ ( 1 ) representative parameter along the course line is determined. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the representative parameter has a diameter (d ₁ , d ₂ , d ₃ , ..., d _n ) and / or a cross-sectional area (Q ₁ , Q ₂ , ... Q _n ) of the Hollow organ ( 1 ), wherein such sectional planes on which the diameter (d ₁ , d ₂ , d ₃ , ..., d _n ) and / or the cross-sectional area (Q ₁ , Q ₂ , ... Q _n ) are located, preferably in always the same angle (α) on the progression line ( 5 ) lie. A method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the values of the representative parameter relative to sectional planes through the hollow organ ( 1 ) are determined, which are at a constant distance from each other. A method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the values of the representative parameter relative to sectional planes through the hollow organ ( 1 ), which are at a distance from each other, depending on the local diameter (d ₁ , d ₂ , d ₃ , ..., d _n ) of the hollow organ ( 1 ) is defined. A method according to claim 5 in combination with one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that as an abnormality profile value ( 15 ) the smallest determined representative parameter value is defined. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the abnormality profile value ( 15 ) a smallest diameter (d ₁ ) of the hollow organ ( 1 ) based on all determined sections of the hollow organ ( 1 ), wherein in each section a plurality of diameters characterized by different angles of rotation (d ₁ , d ₂ , d ₃ , ..., d _n ) are determined. A method according to claim 12, characterized characterized in that the rotation angle in dependence of locally available parameter values of the respective ones Cutting planes are selected. Dimensioning device ( 21 ) for determining a dimension value (AW) of an abnormality ( 3 ) in a hollow organ ( 1 ), comprising at least: - an input interface ( 23 ) for image data (BD) comprising a portion of the hollow organ ( 1 ), a history line determination unit ( 25 ) for determining a progression line ( 5 ) of the portion of the hollow organ ( 1 ), - an outline determination unit ( 27 ) for determining contours ( 9a . 9b ) of the portion of the hollow organ ( 1 ), - a trajectory determination unit ( 29 ) for determining a profile curve ( 11 ) of the Ab section of the hollow organ ( 1 ), An ideal profile value determination unit ( 31 ) for determining an ideal profile value ( 19 ) of the portion of the hollow organ ( 1 ), - a dimension value determination unit ( 33 ) for determining the dimension value (AW) on the basis of the profile curve ( 11 ) and the ideal profile value ( 19 ). A computer program product which is incorporated directly into a processor of a programmable dimension determination device ( 21 ) with program code means to carry out all the steps of a method according to one of claims 1 to 13, when the program product is stored on the dimension determination device ( 21 ) is performed.