Identifying Brain Calcifications in Down Syndrome Patients Using ZTE-Derived Pseudo-CT Imaging

Motivation: Patients with Down Syndrome may undergo nearly ten times as many medical imaging procedures in their childhood alone compared to the general population, exposing this already high-risk group to elevated levels of radiation. Goal(s): We want to explore the potential of Zero Echo-Time (ZTE) MRI as a radiation-free alternative to CT scans for imaging cortical bone and calcifications in Down's Syndrome patients. Approach: We employed a published method for tissue segmentation, assigning Standard Hounsfield Units for air and soft tissue, while a continuous linear mapping technique was used for bone. Results: The images obtained resemble true CT images and calcifications are also visible. Impact: ZTE to pseudo-CT image conversion offers a one-stop-shop solution for imaging patients without ionising radiation. The calcifications found and their potential clinical implications in ageing, or as markers for other conditions, warrant further investigation.