JP6009909B2 - Medical image processing apparatus and magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a medical image processing apparatus and a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus.

  A magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus for heating and ablating cancerous tissue by a local excitation technique has been proposed. As a method of positioning a region to be heated and ablated, an MR contrast agent containing a drug and a magnetic substance that specifically accumulates at a treatment site is administered to a patient, an MRI image is collected, and the treatment site is identified on the MRI image There is a way. However, it is not accurate to specify a treatment site using only a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus.

JP 2002-085377 A JP 2002-085369 A JP 2002-017704 A

  An object of the embodiment is to provide a medical image processing apparatus and a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus that can improve treatment accuracy by thermal treatment.

  The medical image processing apparatus according to this embodiment includes a storage unit that stores an MRI image generated by a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus and a medical image generated by another image diagnostic apparatus with respect to a subject including magnetic particles, and the MRI An extraction unit that extracts a magnetic particle region from an image by image processing, a composite image generation unit that generates a composite image of the medical image, the MRI image, and the magnetic particle region, and three-dimensional image processing on the composite image A display image generation unit that generates a display image from the composite image, and a display unit that displays the display image while emphasizing the magnetic particle region included in the display image.

The figure which shows the network environment of the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows the typical flow of the thermal treatment which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this embodiment. The figure which shows the image composition process in step SA5 of FIG. The figure which shows the example of an image display in step SA5 of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of the ROI mark in step SA5 of FIG. The figure which shows the typical flow of the thermal treatment which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this embodiment. The figure which shows the image composition process in step SB5 of FIG. The figure which shows the typical flow of the thermal treatment which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this embodiment. The figure which shows the typical flow of the thermal treatment which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this embodiment.

  The medical image processing apparatus and magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The medical image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is a computer device that comprehensively supports thermal treatment in a series of processes from determination of a treatment site to determination of treatment effect in thermal treatment using warming ablation. The medical image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment supports thermal therapy using medical image data collected by a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus. The medical image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment may be a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a computer apparatus incorporated in a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus, or a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, or a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus. It may be a computer device connected via a network. However, in order to specifically carry out the following description, it is assumed that the medical image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is incorporated in a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network environment of the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an imaging mechanism 10 and a medical image processing apparatus 30. The imaging mechanism 10 is installed in the examination room. The medical image processing apparatus 30 is installed in a control room adjacent to the examination room. As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 is connected to a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 100 and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 via a network. The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 100 and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 may be installed in an examination room in which the imaging mechanism 10 is installed, or may be installed in different examination rooms.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an imaging mechanism 10 and a medical image processing apparatus 30. The imaging mechanism 10 includes a static magnetic field magnet 11, a gradient magnetic field power supply 13, a gradient magnetic field coil 15, a bed driving unit 17, a bed 19, a transmission unit 21, a transmission RF coil 23, a reception RF coil 25, and a reception unit 27. .

  The static magnetic field magnet 11 has a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape, and generates a static magnetic field inside the substantially cylindrical shape. A spatial region with good uniformity of the generated magnetic field is defined as the imaging region. As the static magnetic field magnet 11, a magnet capable of generating a magnetic field equivalent to 7 Tesla capable of collecting MRI images such as a proton density weighted image, a T1 weighted image, and a T2 weighted image is preferable. In addition, the specific number of 7 Tesla is an illustration, Comprising: The magnetic field intensity other than 7 Tesla may be sufficient as the static magnetic field which concerns on this embodiment. As the static magnetic field magnet 11, for example, a permanent magnet or a superconducting magnet is used. Here, the central axis of the static magnetic field magnet 11 is defined as the Z axis, the vertical axis is defined as the X axis, and the axis orthogonal to the Z axis and the X axis is defined as the Y axis.

  The gradient magnetic field power supply 13 supplies a current to the gradient magnetic field coil 15 in accordance with a control signal supplied from the imaging control unit 51 via the interface unit 31 in the medical image processing apparatus 30. The gradient magnetic field power supply 13 generates a gradient magnetic field from the gradient magnetic field coil 15 by supplying a current to the gradient magnetic field coil 15.

  The gradient coil 15 is attached inside the static magnetic field magnet 11. The gradient coil 15 generates a gradient magnetic field in the imaging region in accordance with the current supplied from the gradient magnetic field power supply 13. The gradient magnetic field is generated to add position information to a magnetic resonance signal (hereinafter referred to as an MRI signal). Specifically, the gradient magnetic field includes a slice selection gradient magnetic field, a phase encoding gradient magnetic field, and a readout gradient magnetic field. The slice selection gradient magnetic field is applied to determine the imaging cross section. The phase encoding gradient magnetic field is applied to give the MRI signal a phase change according to the spatial position. The readout gradient magnetic field is applied to give the MRI signal a frequency change depending on the spatial position.

  The couch driving unit 17 drives the couch 19 to move the top plate 20 on the couch 19 in the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction). Specifically, the bed driving unit 17 supplies a driving signal to the bed 19 in accordance with a control signal supplied from the imaging control unit 51.

  The bed 19 supports the top plate 20 so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) and the vertical direction (X-axis direction). The couch 19 moves on the top plate 20 in response to the drive signal supplied from the couch driving unit 17. A subject P is placed on the top board 20. Usually, the bed 19 is installed so that the longitudinal direction of the top plate 20 is parallel to the central axis (Z axis) of the static magnetic field magnet 11. The top plate 20 is inserted into a cavity (bore) inside the static magnetic field magnet 11.

  The transmission unit 21 transmits a high-frequency magnetic field for exciting target nuclei existing in the subject P to the subject P via the transmission RF coil 23. Specifically, the transmission unit 21 supplies a high-frequency signal (RF signal) for exciting the target nucleus to the transmission RF coil 23 in accordance with a control signal supplied from the imaging control unit 51 via the transmission RF coil 23. Supply. More specifically, the transmission unit 21 includes an oscillation unit, a phase selection unit, a frequency conversion unit, an amplitude modulation unit, a high frequency power amplification unit, and the like. The oscillating unit generates an RF signal that vibrates at a resonance frequency unique to the target nucleus. The phase selector selects the phase of the generated RF signal. The frequency converter converts the frequency of the RF signal whose phase is selected. The amplitude modulation unit modulates the amplitude of the RF signal whose frequency has been converted, for example, according to a sinc function. The high frequency power amplifier amplifies the RF signal whose amplitude is modulated. The amplified RF signal is supplied to the transmission RF coil 23.

  The transmission RF coil 23 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the gradient magnetic field coil 15. The transmission RF coil 23 is supplied with a high frequency pulse from the transmission unit 21 and generates a high frequency magnetic field. The generated high-frequency magnetic field vibrates at a resonance frequency unique to the target nucleus, and excites the target nucleus.

  The receiving RF coil 25 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the gradient magnetic field coil 15. The receiving RF coil 25 electromagnetically detects an electromagnetic wave generated from the excited target nucleus, and generates an analog electric signal corresponding to the energy of the detected electromagnetic wave. The generated electrical signal is called an MRI signal. The MRI signal is supplied to the receiving unit 27.

  The receiving unit 27 receives an MRI signal corresponding to the energy of the electromagnetic wave generated from the excited target nucleus via the receiving RF coil 25. Specifically, the receiving unit 27 receives the MRI signal from the receiving RF coil 25 according to the control signal supplied from the imaging control unit 51 via the interface unit 31. The receiving unit 27 performs signal processing on the received analog MRI signal to generate a digital MRI signal. More specifically, the reception unit 27 includes an amplification unit, a detection unit, an A / D conversion unit, and the like. The amplifying unit amplifies the MRI signal from the receiving RF coil 25. The detection unit detects the amplified MRI signal. The A / D converter A / D converts the detected MRI signal to generate a digital MRI signal.

  The medical image processing apparatus 30 includes an interface unit 31, a reconstruction unit 33, a storage unit 35, an extraction unit 37, an image synthesis unit 39, a display image generation unit 41, a region of interest setting unit 43, an image processing unit 45, a display unit 47, An operation unit 49, an imaging control unit 51, an external device connection unit 53, and a system control unit 55 are included.

  The interface unit 31 is connected to the gradient magnetic field power supply 13, the bed driving unit 17, the transmission unit 21, and the reception unit 27. The interface unit 31 inputs various signals transmitted and received between the gradient magnetic field power source 13, the bed driving unit 17, the transmission unit 21, and the reception unit 27 and the medical image processing device 30, to the medical image processing device 30, Or output from the medical image processing apparatus 30.

  The reconstruction unit 33 reconstructs the MRI signal supplied from the reception unit 27 via the interface unit 31 and generates an MRI image. Examples of the MRI image include an MRI image (hereinafter referred to as an MRI morphological image) relating to morphological information such as a T1-weighted image, a T2-weighted image, and a proton density weighted image. The MRI morphological image includes a pixel region (hereinafter referred to as a magnetic particle region) related to a contrast agent including magnetic particles injected into the subject. Also, an MRI image (hereinafter referred to as a temperature monitor image) that expresses the spatial distribution of the temperature in the imaging region based on the MRI image may be generated. In the present embodiment, the MRI image may be volume data having a three-dimensional structure or slice data having a two-dimensional structure. However, for the sake of specific description, it is assumed that the MRI image is volume data.

  The storage unit 35 stores various images. For example, the storage unit 35 stores an MRI image reconstructed by the reconstruction unit 33 and a medical image (hereinafter referred to as another modality image) generated by imaging the same subject using another image diagnostic apparatus. To do. Typically, it is assumed that a contrast agent having a contrast effect on the treatment site is injected into the subject even during imaging by another diagnostic imaging apparatus. Therefore, the other modality image includes a pixel region (hereinafter referred to as a contrast agent region) related to the contrast agent injected into the subject. As other image diagnostic apparatuses, a PET apparatus or an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is appropriate.

  The extraction unit 37 extracts magnetic particle regions from the MRI image by image processing. As an extraction method, existing processing using threshold processing, pixel value distribution, or geometric shape can be applied. The extracted magnetic particle region is used for image synthesis.

  The image composition unit 39 performs alignment processing on a plurality of images, and generates a composite image by performing composition processing on the plurality of images subjected to the alignment processing. For example, the image composition unit 39 generates a composite image of an MRI form image and another modality image (hereinafter referred to as MR-other modality composite image). In addition, the image composition unit 39 generates a composite image (hereinafter referred to as a magnetic particle composite image) of the magnetic particle region and the MR-other modality composite image. Specifically, the image composition unit 39 arranges the MRI form image, the other modality image, and the magnetic particle region at the same spatial position based on the in-apparatus coordinate system, and composes them according to preset composition display conditions. .

  The display image generation unit 41 generates a two-dimensional display image in which the magnetic particle region is emphasized based on the magnetic particle composite image. Specifically, the display image generating unit 41 assigns predetermined RGB (red, green, blue) color values to the magnetic particle regions included in the magnetic particle composite image. Next, the display image generation unit 41 performs three-dimensional image processing on the magnetic particle composite image to which the color value is assigned, and generates a two-dimensional display image in which the magnetic particle region is emphasized. Examples of 3D image processing include volume rendering, surface rendering, pixel value projection processing, MPR (multi-planar reconstruction), and the like. As the pixel value projection process, typically, a maximum intensity projection (MIP) method may be employed. The color value assignment may be performed after the three-dimensional image processing instead of the three-dimensional image processing.

  The region-of-interest setting unit 43 sets a region of interest on the display image in accordance with an instruction or image processing made by the user via the operation unit 49. The region of interest is set as a target region for treatment of the treatment site, or as a target region for analysis by the image processing unit 45. The region of interest as the target region for warming shochu will be referred to as a warming shochu region. The position of the warming shochu region can be appropriately moved by the user via the operation unit 49. A local portion of the subject corresponding to the warming ablation region is heated and cauterized by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 or the like. Note that the apparatus for heating and ablating is not limited to the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1, and may be another external device such as an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 or an electromagnetic wave irradiation apparatus.

  The image processing unit 45 performs various image processes on the image. For example, the image processing unit 45 calculates an index value related to the density of magnetic particles limited to the region of interest based on the pixel values of the pixels in the region of interest.

  The display unit 47 displays a display image or the like on a display device. For example, the display unit 47 emphasizes the magnetic particle region on the display image and displays the display image. Further, the display unit 47 highlights and displays the region of interest on the display region. As the display device, for example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, or the like can be used as appropriate.

  The operation unit 49 receives various commands and information input from the user via the input device. As the input device, a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball, a selection device such as a mode change switch, or a keyboard can be used as appropriate.

  The imaging control unit 51 controls the gradient magnetic field power supply 13, the transmission unit 21, and the reception unit 27 in order to perform MR imaging of the subject P with a pulse sequence according to an instruction from the user via the operation unit 49. As a pulse sequence according to the present embodiment, for example, a sequence for temperature measurement and a sequence for warming cauterization can be executed in addition to a normal pulse sequence for collecting form information.

  The external device connection unit 53 is connected to the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 100, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200, and other external devices via a network. Examples of other external devices include an electromagnetic wave irradiation device for heating and ablating a treatment site in place of the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200. The external device connection unit 53 transmits / receives data to / from the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 100, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200, and other external devices.

  The system control unit 55 functions as the center of the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1. The system control unit 55 controls each unit according to a program for supporting thermal therapy.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments of the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[First Embodiment]
The magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment supports the thermal treatment using the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 100 in combination. As the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, a PET (positron emission tomography) apparatus is suitable.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a typical flow of the thermal treatment according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, first, a PET image is taken by the PET apparatus 100 (step SA1). PET imaging is performed on a candidate treatment site of a patient. Based on the PET raw data collected by the PET imaging, a PET image related to the patient is generated by the PET apparatus 100. The PET image is transmitted from the PET apparatus 100 to the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 and stored in the storage unit 35. A user such as a doctor or an engineer refers to a PET image or the like, diagnoses a treatment site, and determines a treatment policy (step SA2).

  Hyperthermia is performed according to the determined treatment policy. First, the user injects an MR contrast agent containing magnetic nanoparticles into the patient whose PET has been imaged in Step SA1 (Step SA3). Magnetic nanoparticles are fine metal particles having paramagnetism. Magnetic nanoparticles have a contrast effect in MR imaging. For example, gadolinium is suitable as the magnetic nanoparticle. The contrast agent is a mixture of the magnetic nanoparticles and a drug that specifically accumulates in a lesion such as a cancer tissue. The contrast agent may be directly injected into the lesion, or may be injected from a blood vessel near the lesion. Note that the size of the magnetic particles contained in the MR contrast agent according to the present embodiment is not limited to nano-order, and may be smaller or larger than nano-order.

  Note that the thermal treatment may be performed after a predetermined number of days have elapsed after PET imaging, or may be performed on the same day.

  When the contrast medium is injected into the patient, the patient is MR-imaged by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 (step SA4). In step SA3, the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 may execute a pulse sequence that can collect MRI-type images such as proton density-weighted images, T1-weighted images, and T2-weighted images. In MR imaging, the imaging control unit 51 controls the gradient magnetic field power source 13, the transmission unit 21, and the reception unit 27 according to a predetermined pulse sequence. The receiving unit 27 receives the MRI signal via the receiving RF coil 25 according to the control by the imaging control unit 51. Based on the MRI signal, the reconstruction unit 33 generates MRI morphological images such as proton density weighted images, T1 weighted images, and T2 weighted images related to the patient. The MRI morphological image includes magnetic nanoparticle regions corresponding to magnetic nanoparticles injected into the patient.

  When MR imaging is performed, the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 generates a composite image (hereinafter referred to as a magnetic nanoparticle composite image) of the MRI morphological image, the PET image, and the magnetic nanoparticle region, and emphasizes the magnetic nanoparticle region. The magnetic nanoparticle synthesis display image is displayed (step SA5). Hereinafter, the process of step SA5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the PET image IP and the MRI form image IM are read out by the image composition unit 39. The PET image IP is a functional image that expresses the density distribution of the PET contrast agent. The PET image IP includes a pixel region (hereinafter referred to as a PET contrast agent region) RP corresponding to the PET contrast agent. The MRI morphological image IM is a morphological image representing the spatial distribution of the MRI signal depending on the proton density, T1 relaxation time, T2 relaxation time, and the like. The MRI morphological image IM includes a magnetic nanoparticle region. The image combining unit 39 combines the MRI form image IM and the PET image IP in position alignment to generate an MR-PET composite image IG1. In parallel with the generation process of the MR-PET composite image IG1, the extraction unit 37 extracts the magnetic nanoparticle region RM from the MRI form image IM by existing image processing. The image composition unit 39 generates the magnetic nanoparticle composite image IG2 by aligning and superimposing the MR-PET composite image IG1 and the magnetic nanoparticle region RM.

  When the magnetic nanoparticle composite image is generated, the display image generation unit 41 performs a three-dimensional image process on the magnetic nanoparticle composite image to generate a two-dimensional display image (magnetic nanoparticle composite display image). In the first embodiment, volume rendering images and MPR images are suitable for the three-dimensional image processing. The display unit 47 visually enhances the magnetic nanoparticle region and displays a magnetic nanoparticle synthesis display image. For example, the display image generation unit 41 generates an axial cross-sectional image, a sagittal cross-sectional image, a coronal cross-sectional image, and a volume rendering image based on the magnetic nanoparticle composite image. As shown in FIG. 5, the display unit 47 emphasizes the magnetic nanoparticle region and displays an axial cross-sectional image, a sagittal cross-sectional image, a coronal cross-sectional image, and a volume rendering image side by side.

  When the magnetic nanoparticle synthesis display image is displayed, the user confirms that the contrast agent is accumulated in the treatment candidate site such as cancer tissue from the position of the magnetic nanoparticle region on the image.

  Thereafter, the region-of-interest setting unit 43 operates the operation unit 49 by the user to add a heated ablation region to the magnetic nanoparticle composite image, MR-PET composite image, or MRI image via the magnetic nanoparticle composite display image. Set (step SA6). Specifically, the user designates the position and range of the candidate region of the heated ablation region on the magnetic nanoparticle synthesis display image via the operation unit 49. The display unit 47 displays a mark (hereinafter referred to as an ROI mark) in an overlapping manner at a specified position and range. When a confirmation operation is performed by the user via the operation unit 49 or the like, the region-of-interest setting unit 43 moves the magnetic nanoparticle composite image, MR-PET composite image, or MRI image to a position and range corresponding to the ROI mark. Set the warming shochu area. The warming ablation region may be an arbitrary three-dimensional geometric shape such as a spherical shape or a cubic shape. The shape of the heated cautery region can be arbitrarily set by the user via the operation unit. There may be one or more heating shochu regions.

  In order to support the setting of the heated ablation region, the image processing unit 45 can calculate an index value related to the density of the magnetic nanoparticles based on the pixel value of the pixel in the region of interest. Examples of such index values (hereinafter referred to as density index values) include the number of magnetic nanoparticles, the density of magnetic nanoparticles, and the thermal effect value. The number of magnetic nanoparticles is calculated by counting the magnetic nanoparticle regions according to the geometry of the individual magnetic nanoparticle regions. The density of magnetic nanoparticles is calculated by dividing the number of magnetic nanoparticle regions by the volume of the region of interest. The thermal effect value is an index value indicating the ease of heating by heating shochu. The thermal effect value is calculated based on the magnetic nanoparticles and MR magnetic field conditions. The calculated density index value is displayed on the display unit 47. The display unit displays a numerical value of the density index value, for example. The display unit 47 may display the ROI mark in a color corresponding to the density index value instead of displaying the density index value numerically. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the thermal effect value may be divided into a plurality of stages such as three stages, and the ROI mark may be displayed in a color such as red, blue, or yellow assigned in advance to each stage. Further, when the thermal effect value can be simulated from other measured values, the display unit 47 may display the value obtained by the simulation. Thus, by displaying the density index value, the user can more appropriately determine the position and range of the heated ablation region in consideration of the density index value.

  In order to support the setting of the heated ablation region, the display unit 47 may display a pixel region corresponding to the nerve bundle (hereinafter referred to as a nerve bundle region) superimposed on the magnetic nanoparticle composite display image in an aligned manner. good. The nerve bundle region is extracted by the extraction unit 37 from a nerve image generated in advance. The neural image is generated by applying a fiber tracking technique (also referred to as tractography) to a diffusion weighted image generated by MR imaging of a treatment candidate site of a subject with a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus, and is stored in the storage unit 35 in advance. Has been. The voxel value of each voxel of the neural image corresponds to an index value related to diffusion. As index values relating to diffusion, for example, ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient), FA (fractional anisotropy), RA (relative anisotropy), VR (volume ratio), and the like are used. The fiber tracking technique is a method of tracking a voxel in the direction indicated by the eigenvector corresponding to the maximum eigenvalue of the diffusion tensor. If the nerve bundle is heated by warming ablation, there is a risk of danger to the subject. Therefore, the display unit 47 displays the nerve bundle region superimposed on the magnetic nanoparticle composite display image. Thus, the user can determine the position and range of the heated ablation region in consideration of the distribution of nerve bundles.

  Further, in order to assist in setting the warming ablation region, the display unit 47 may display various data superimposed on the magnetic nanoparticle composite display image by aligning various data. For example, in addition to the nerve bundle region, the display unit 47 may display information that evaluates the malignancy of the cancer tissue or the like superimposed on the magnetic nanoparticle composite display image. The malignancy of a cancer tissue is evaluated by, for example, the number of nerve bundle regions that enter the cancer tissue region, the number of pixels in the nerve bundle region, and the like. In order to easily grasp the malignancy of the cancer tissue region, the display unit 47 may display the cancer tissue region with a color corresponding to the malignancy. Furthermore, in order to support the setting of the heated ablation region, the image processing unit 45 calculates the degree of overlap on the image of the information evaluating the malignancy of the magnetic nanoparticle region, nerve bundle region, and cancer tissue for each pixel. If the degree of overlap is high, it is likely to be medically dangerous. Accordingly, the display unit 47 may display the degree of overlap. For example, the display unit 47 may display pixels with a color corresponding to the degree of overlap. Thereby, the user can easily confirm a region having a high degree of overlap in the magnetic nanoparticle synthesis display image.

  In step SA6, it is assumed that the heated cautery region is set, but other upper cautery conditions such as the upper limit of the heat generation temperature, the size of cauterization at a time, the order of cauterization are set by the user via the operation unit 49. May be.

  When ablation conditions such as a warming ablation area are set, heating ablation is performed limited to a local site in the subject corresponding to the heating ablation area (step SA7). In this local region, magnetic nanoparticles are accumulated. Heating the magnetic nanoparticles accumulated at the local site by heating cauterization cauterizes the lesion where the magnetic nanoparticles are accumulated. Warming ablation is performed by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 or other therapeutic apparatus. For example, a local excitation method is known as a heating cauterization method by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1. When the local excitation method is used, the imaging control unit 51 is limited to a local region in the subject corresponding to the heated ablation region for an arbitrary fixed time according to the ablation condition so that the RF signal energy is applied most. The transmitter 21 is caused to transmit a local excitation pulse. In addition, the heating cauterization method by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 is not limited only to the local excitation method. As another warming ablation method by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1, for example, a multiplex transmission method is known. When using the multiplex transmission method, the imaging control unit 51 transmits an RF signal from each of the plurality of transmission RF coils 23. At this time, the imaging control unit 51 controls the phase of the transmitted RF signal so that the energy of the RF signal is most applied to the local site in the subject corresponding to the heated ablation region. As other apparatuses for warming shochu, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200, an electromagnetic wave irradiation apparatus, and the like are known. When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 is used, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 irradiates the ultrasonic wave by performing phase control so that the ultrasonic wave is focused on a local site in the subject corresponding to the heated ablation region. When the electromagnetic wave irradiation device is used, the electromagnetic wave irradiation device irradiates the electromagnetic wave so that the local region in the subject corresponding to the heated cautery region is localized and heated.

  In parallel with the warming shochu, the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 monitors the warming shochu (step SA8). The imaging control unit 51 controls the gradient magnetic field power source 13, the transmission unit 21, and the reception unit 27 according to a pulse sequence for temperature monitoring during heating cauterization. When performing warming ablation with the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1, a pulse sequence for temperature monitoring and a pulse sequence for heating ablation may be individually repeated, or a pulse sequence for temperature monitoring may be A pulse sequence for warming shochu may be incorporated.

  In step SA8, the reconstruction unit 33 first reconstructs an MRI image based on the MRI signal from the reception unit 27. The reconstruction unit 33 calculates a temperature index value based on the pixel value for each pixel in the heated ablation region of the MRI form image. The display unit 47 displays each pixel in the heated cautery region included in the display image based on the MRI image in a color corresponding to the temperature index value. In other words, the display unit 47 displays the heated cautery region assigned with the color according to the temperature index value so as to overlap the display image based on the MRI image. For example, as the temperature rises, the warmed cautery region may be displayed by changing to blue, yellow, and red. A display image based on the MRI image is generated by the display image generation unit 41. As a method for calculating the temperature index value, the signal intensity method and the phase method are well known. The signal intensity method is a method that utilizes the temperature dependence of the T1 value and the T2 value, and the phase method is a method that utilizes the temperature dependence of the nuclear magnetic resonance frequency of protons. The present embodiment can be applied not only to the signal strength method and the phase method but also to other calculation methods. In the monitoring of warming shochu, the MRI image may be a proton density weighted image, a T1 weighted image, a T2 weighted image, or a diffusion weighted image. Which type of image is to be reconstructed is preferably determined according to the target site of the thermal treatment. At this time, it is preferable that the magnetic nanoparticle region, the nerve bundle region, information for evaluating the malignancy of cancer tissue, and the like are superimposed on the display image. As a display image in this case, for example, a shaded volume rendering image or a MIP image is suitable.

  When heating ablation and monitoring are performed, the therapeutic effect is determined by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 and the PET apparatus 100 (step SA9). The therapeutic effect is determined on the day after the warming shochu. When the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 determines the therapeutic effect, the imaging control unit 51 performs MR imaging of the subject, and the reconstruction unit 33 reconstructs the MRI image. A display image based on the MRI image is displayed by the display unit 47. At this time, the display unit 47 may display a display image before the warming cautery and a display image after the warming cautery for determining the therapeutic effect. The user compares and interprets the display image before warming shochu and the display image after warming shochu. The display image may be a display image based on the MRI image or a display image based on the MR-PET composite image.

  When the PET apparatus 100 determines a therapeutic effect, first, the PET apparatus 100 takes a PET image of the subject, generates a PET image, and displays the PET image. At this time, the PET apparatus 100 may display the PET image before the warming cautery and the PET image after the warming cautery for the determination of the therapeutic effect. The user compares and interprets the PET image before the warming shochu and the PET image after the warming shochu. The display image may be a PET image or a display image based on an MR-PET composite image. Further, the PET apparatus 100 calculates an SUV (standard uptake value) based on the pixel values of the pixels constituting the heated ablation region of the PET image, the body weight of the subject, and the administered radioactivity. The calculated SUV is displayed by the display unit 47. The user can determine the therapeutic effect of warming shochu by comparing the SUV before warming shochu and the SUV after warming shochu.

  The therapeutic effect may be determined using not only the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 and the PET apparatus 100 but also an X-ray computed tomography apparatus.

  Thus, according to the first embodiment, the display image based on the composite image of the MRI image generated by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1, the magnetic nanoparticle region in the MRI image, and the PET image generated by the PET apparatus 100 is magnetic. The nanoparticle region is highlighted. Thereby, the positioning accuracy of the heated ablation region is improved, and consequently the accuracy of the thermal treatment is improved.

[Second Embodiment]
The magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment supports the thermal treatment using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 together. The magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment displays a display image based on a composite image (MR-PET composite image) of an MRI form image and a PET image for the setting of a heated ablation region. The magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment displays a display image based on a composite image (MR-UL composite image) of an MRI morphological image and an ultrasonic image for setting a heated ablation region. Hereinafter, the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 and the medical image processing apparatus 30 according to the second embodiment will be described. In the following description, components and steps having substantially the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is provided only when necessary.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a typical flow of the thermal treatment according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, first, MR imaging of the patient is performed by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 (step SB1). MR imaging is performed on a treatment candidate site of a patient into which an MR contrast agent has been injected. An MRI morphological image for the patient is generated based on the MRI signal collected by MR imaging. The MRI form image is stored in the storage unit 35. The user refers to the MRI image, the CT image collected by the X-ray computed tomography apparatus, the PET image collected by the PET apparatus 100, etc., diagnoses the treatment site, and determines the treatment policy (step SB2).

  Hyperthermia is performed according to the determined treatment policy. First, the user injects an ultrasound contrast agent into the subject (step SB3). The ultrasound contrast agent includes magnetic nanoparticles to which a drug that specifically accumulates in a lesion is attached, and a nano-order bubble agent. The magnetic nanoparticles may be attached to the foaming agent, or the foaming agent may have a magnetic nanoparticle label. The ultrasound contrast agent is injected from a blood vessel near the lesion.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 ultrasonically scans the scanning target region including the lesion portion with the ultrasound in a state where the ultrasonic probe is applied to the body surface near the lesion portion by the user (step SB4). As the scanning mode, for example, the B mode is suitable. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 repeatedly generates an ultrasonic image in which the ultrasonic contrast agent in the scan target region is emphasized. The ultrasonic image is supplied to the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1.

  The thermal treatment may be performed after a predetermined number of days have elapsed after MR imaging, or may be performed on the same day.

  When the ultrasonic scanning is performed, the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 generates a composite image (magnetic nanoparticle composite image) of the MRI morphological image, the ultrasonic image, and the magnetic nanoparticle region, and emphasizes the magnetic nanoparticle region to provide magnetism. A nanoparticle synthesis display image is displayed (step SB5). Hereinafter, the process of step SB5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the ultrasonic image IU and the MRI form image IM are read out by the image composition unit 39. The ultrasonic image IU is a morphological image that expresses the spatial distribution of ultrasonic reflection intensity. The ultrasound image IU includes a pixel region corresponding to the ultrasound contrast agent (hereinafter referred to as an ultrasound contrast agent region). The image composition unit 39 composes the MRI form image IM and the ultrasonic image IU by aligning the positions and generates an MR-UL composite image IG3. In parallel with the generation process of the MR-UL composite image IG3, the extraction unit 37 extracts the magnetic nanoparticle region RM from the MRI image IM by existing image processing. The image synthesis unit 39 aligns and superimposes the MR-UL composite image IG3 and the magnetic nanoparticle region RM, and immediately superimposes the composite image (magnetic nanoparticle composite image) IG4 with the magnetic nanoparticle region during ultrasonic scanning. Will occur.

  When the magnetic nanoparticle composite image is generated, the display image generation unit 41 performs a three-dimensional image process on the magnetic nanoparticle composite image to generate a two-dimensional display image (magnetic nanoparticle composite display image). The display unit 47 visually enhances the magnetic nanoparticle region and immediately displays a magnetic nanoparticle synthesis display image during ultrasonic scanning. By superimposing the ultrasound images IU, the user can immediately observe the inflow of the ultrasound contrast agent. Therefore, an appropriate amount of ultrasonic contrast can be injected into the subject. When the magnetic nanoparticle synthesis display image is displayed, the user must have accumulated the ultrasonic contrast agent on the treatment candidate site such as cancer tissue from the position of the ultrasonic contrast agent region or magnetic nanoparticle region on the image. Confirm. The display unit 47 may display the ultrasonic contrast agent region and the magnetic nanoparticle region in a color corresponding to the density index value in order to make the accumulation degree more clearly visible.

  The display unit 47 may display the ultrasonic image and the display image based on the MRI form image side by side. In this case, the cross section of the display image is preferably followed according to the movement of the ultrasonic probe. When executing the tracking function, the user designates an anatomically identical point (attention point) for each of the ultrasonic image and the display image. The display image generation unit 41 calculates the position of the cross section in the MRI morphological image corresponding to the ultrasonic scanning surface in accordance with the movement of the ultrasonic probe. Then, the display image generating unit 41 generates an MPR image related to the calculated cross-section based on the MRI form image. Thereby, the cross-sectional position of the MPR image can be tracked in conjunction with the position of the ultrasonic scanning surface. The generated MPR image is displayed side by side with the ultrasonic image. And a user designates the position of a heating cauterization area | region on a display image by operating the operation part 49. FIG.

  Thereafter, the region-of-interest setting unit 43 sets a heated ablation region in the magnetic nanoparticle composite image, the MR-UL composite image, or the MRI morphological image in accordance with an instruction from the user via the operation unit 49 (step SA6). . When the warming ablation area is set, the heating ablation is performed limited to a local site in the subject corresponding to the heating ablation area (step SA7). In parallel with the warming shochu, the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 monitors the warming shochu (step SA8). When heating ablation and monitoring are performed, the therapeutic effect is determined by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 and the PET apparatus 100 (step SA9).

  Thus, according to the second embodiment, a display image based on a composite image of the MRI image generated by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1, the magnetic nanoparticle region, and the ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 is displayed on the magnetic nano The particle area is highlighted. Thereby, the positioning accuracy of the heated ablation region is improved, and consequently the accuracy of the thermal treatment is improved.

[Third Embodiment]
The magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment supports thermal therapy by using both a PET apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in combination. The magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus and medical image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described below. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is provided only when necessary.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a typical flow of the thermal treatment according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, first, MR imaging is performed on the patient by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1, and PET imaging is performed on the same patient by the PET apparatus 100 (step SC1). MR imaging is performed on a treatment candidate site of a patient into which an MR contrast agent has been injected. An MRI morphological image for the patient is generated based on the MRI signal collected by MR imaging. The MRI form image is stored in the storage unit 35. PET imaging is performed on a treatment candidate site of a patient into which a PET contrast agent is injected. A PET image for the patient is generated based on the PET raw data collected by PET imaging. The PET image is transmitted from the PET apparatus 100 to the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 and stored in the storage unit 35.

  The user refers to the MRI image, the PET image, etc., diagnoses the treatment site, and determines the treatment policy (step SC2).

  Hyperthermia is performed according to the determined treatment policy. First, the user injects an ultrasound contrast agent into the subject (step SB3). The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 ultrasonically scans the scanning target region including the lesion portion with the ultrasound in a state where the ultrasonic probe is applied to the body surface near the lesion portion by the user (step SB4). The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 repeatedly generates an ultrasonic image in which the ultrasonic contrast agent in the scan target region is emphasized. The ultrasonic image is supplied to the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus and stored in the storage unit 35.

  When the ultrasonic scanning is performed, the image composition unit 39 of the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 generates a composite image (magnetic nanoparticle composite image) of the MRI morphological image, the PET image, the ultrasonic image, and the magnetic nanoparticle region. The nanoparticle region is emphasized and a magnetic nanoparticle synthesis display image is displayed (step SC5). Magnetic nanoparticle composite images are generated instantaneously during ultrasound scanning. When the magnetic nanoparticle composite image is generated, the display image generation unit 41 performs a three-dimensional image process on the magnetic nanoparticle composite image to generate a two-dimensional display image (magnetic nanoparticle composite display image). The display unit 47 visually enhances the magnetic nanoparticle region and immediately displays a magnetic nanoparticle synthesis display image during ultrasonic scanning. By superimposing the ultrasound images IU, the user can immediately observe the inflow of the ultrasound contrast agent. Further, not only the MRI form image but also the PET image and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are overlapped, so that the user can designate the position of the heated ablation region in consideration of various information.

  Thereafter, the region-of-interest setting unit 43 sets a heated ablation region in the magnetic nanoparticle composite image, the MR-UL composite image, or the MRI morphological image in accordance with an instruction from the user via the operation unit 49 (step SA6). . When the warming ablation area is set, the heating ablation is performed limited to a local site in the subject corresponding to the heating ablation area (step SA7). In parallel with the warming shochu, the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 monitors the warming shochu (step SA8). When heating ablation and monitoring are performed, the therapeutic effect is determined by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 and the PET apparatus 100 (step SA9).

  Thus, according to the third embodiment, the MRI morphological image generated by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1, the magnetic nanoparticle region in the MRI morphological image, the PET image generated by the PET apparatus 100, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 are generated. A display image based on the synthesized image with the ultrasonic image is displayed with the magnetic nanoparticle region highlighted. Thereby, the positioning accuracy of the heated ablation region is improved, and consequently the accuracy of the thermal treatment is improved.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the fourth embodiment, monitoring of the magnetic nanoparticles and heating cauterization are performed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200, temperature monitoring is performed by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1, and the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 and the PET apparatus 100 are connected. The treatment effect is determined in combination. Hereinafter, the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 and the medical image processing apparatus 30 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions as those in the first, second, and third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is provided only when necessary.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a typical flow of the thermal treatment according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, first, a PET image is taken by the PET apparatus 100 (step SA1). The user refers to the PET image or the like, diagnoses the treatment site, and determines the treatment policy (step SA2). Hyperthermia is performed according to the determined treatment policy. First, the user injects an ultrasound contrast agent into the subject (step SB3). The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 ultrasonically scans the scanning target region including the lesion portion with the ultrasound in a state where the ultrasonic probe is applied to the body surface near the lesion portion by the user (step SB4). The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 repeatedly generates an ultrasonic image in which the ultrasonic contrast agent in the scan target region is emphasized. The ultrasonic image is supplied to the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1. When the ultrasonic scanning is performed, the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 generates a composite image (magnetic nanoparticle composite image) of the MRI morphological image, the ultrasonic image, and the magnetic nanoparticle region, and emphasizes the magnetic nanoparticle region to provide magnetism. A nanoparticle synthesis display image is displayed (step SB5).

  Hyperthermia is performed according to the determined treatment policy. First, the user injects an ultrasound contrast agent into the subject (step SB3). The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 ultrasonically scans the scanning target region including the lesion portion with the ultrasound in a state where the ultrasonic probe is applied to the body surface near the lesion portion by the user (step SB4). The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 repeatedly generates an ultrasonic image in which the ultrasonic contrast agent in the scan target region is emphasized. The ultrasound image is supplied to the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 and stored in the storage unit 35. Thereafter, the region-of-interest setting unit 43 sets a heated ablation region in the magnetic nanoparticle composite image, MR-UL composite image, or MRI image in accordance with an instruction from the user via the operation unit 49 (step SA6). The position data of the heated ablation area is supplied to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200.

  When the heated ablation region is set, the ablation is performed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 while being limited to a local region in the subject corresponding to the heated ablation region (step SD7). In parallel with the warming shochu, the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 monitors the warming shochu (step SA8). By performing the warming shochu and the temperature monitor with separate apparatuses, the warming shochu and the temperature monitor can be performed without burden on the apparatus. When heating ablation and monitoring are performed, the therapeutic effect is determined by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 and the PET apparatus 100 (step SA9). When the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 are in the same room, reheating of the heated ablation region may be performed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 based on the result of the therapeutic effect determination.

  Thus, according to the fourth embodiment, the MRI image generated by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1, the magnetic nanoparticle region in the MRI image, the PET image generated by the PET apparatus 100, and the ultrasound generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200. A display image based on a composite image with the sound wave image is displayed with the magnetic nanoparticle region highlighted. Thereby, the positioning accuracy of the heated ablation region is improved, and consequently the accuracy of the thermal treatment is improved. In addition, warming cautery is executed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200, and temperature monitoring is executed by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1. Thereby, heating shochu and a temperature monitor can be easily performed in parallel without complicated control.

[effect]
As described above, the medical image processing apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment includes the storage unit 35, the image synthesis unit 39, the display image generation unit 41, and the display unit 47. The storage unit 35 stores the MRI image generated by the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus and the other modality image generated by another image diagnostic apparatus regarding the subject including the magnetic particles. The extraction unit 37 extracts magnetic nanoparticle regions from the MRI image by image processing. The image composition unit 39 generates a composite image of the other modality image, the MRI image, and the magnetic nanoparticle region. The display image generation unit 41 generates a display image from the composite image by performing three-dimensional image processing on the composite image. The display unit 47 emphasizes the magnetic particle area included in the display image and displays the display image.

  With the above configuration, the medical image processing apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment can display various information related to treatment candidate sites collected by the nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus 100 and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 by superimposing them on the MRI form image. it can. Therefore, the medical image processing apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment can improve the accuracy of the treatment position by heating ablation compared to the case of the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 alone, and the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 and the ultrasonic diagnosis. In combination with the warming ablation means using the apparatus 200, an effective treatment can be performed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform repeated treatment with less invasiveness than in the past, and it is possible to realize all processes of diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up on one apparatus. Therefore, the diagnostic treatment technique is dramatically improved. According to the present embodiment, a user and a patient are provided with a lot of information necessary for diagnostic treatment, such as planning a treatment plan for treating a treatment site such as a cancer tissue with heat, determining whether treatment is possible, and informed consent. be able to. This improves the usefulness of the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus 1 in clinical settings.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus, 10 ... Imaging mechanism, 11 ... Static magnetic field magnet, 13 ... Gradient magnetic field power supply, 15 ... Gradient magnetic field coil, 17 ... Sleeper drive part, 19 ... Sleeper, 21 ... Transmitter, 23 ... RF for transmission Coil, 25... RF coil for reception, 27... Reception unit, 30... Medical image processing apparatus, 31... Interface unit, 33 .. reconstruction unit, 35 ... storage unit, 37 ... extraction unit, 39. Display image generation unit 43 ... Region of interest setting unit 45 ... Image processing unit 47 ... Display unit 49 ... Operation unit 51 ... Imaging control unit 53 ... External device connection unit 55 ... System control unit

Claims (8)

A storage unit for storing an MRI image generated by a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus and a medical image generated by another image diagnostic apparatus with respect to a subject including magnetic particles;
An extraction unit for extracting magnetic particle regions from the MRI image by image processing;
A composite image generating unit that generates a composite image of the medical image, the MRI image, and the magnetic particle region;
A display image generating unit that generates a display image from the composite image by performing three-dimensional image processing on the composite image;
A display unit that displays the display image by emphasizing the magnetic particle region included in the display image;
A medical image processing apparatus comprising:   The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a setting unit configured to set a region of interest for heating ablation in the synthesized image or the MRI image in accordance with an instruction from a user. A calculation unit for calculating an index value relating to the density of the magnetic particles in the region of interest;
The display unit displays the index value;
The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 2. The display unit displays a mark indicating the region of interest in a color corresponding to the index value;
The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 3.   The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other image diagnostic apparatus is a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus or an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. A static magnetic field magnet that generates a static magnetic field in the imaging region;
A gradient coil for generating a gradient magnetic field in the imaging region;
A transmitter for transmitting a high-frequency magnetic field to a subject including magnetic particles arranged in the imaging region;
A receiving unit for receiving an MRI signal emitted from within the subject;
An MRI image generator for generating an MRI image related to the imaging region of the subject based on the received MRI signal;
A storage unit for storing a medical image generated by another image diagnostic apparatus with respect to the imaging region of the subject;
An extraction unit for extracting magnetic particle regions from the MRI image by image processing;
A composite image generating unit that generates a composite image of the medical image, the MRI image, and the magnetic particle region;
A display image generating unit that generates a display image from the composite image by performing three-dimensional image processing on the composite image;
A display unit for displaying the composite image by emphasizing the magnetic particle region included in the display image;
A magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus comprising:   The magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a setting unit configured to set a region of interest for heating ablation in the composite image or the MRI image in accordance with an instruction from a user.   The magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the transmission unit transmits an RF signal for transmission so that a local site in the subject corresponding to the region of interest is heated.

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