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Brain Intensity AbNormality Classification Algorithm (BIANCA)

Library: FSL | Docker Image: brainlife/fsl

Function

Automated white matter hyperintensity (WMH) segmentation using supervised machine learning (k-nearest neighbor) trained on manually labeled data.

Modality: T1-weighted and FLAIR images (3D NIfTI), plus training data with manual WMH masks.

Typical Use: Automated white matter lesion segmentation in aging, small vessel disease, or MS studies.

Key Parameters

--singlefile (input file list), --labelfeaturenum (which feature is the manual label), --brainmaskfeaturenum (brain mask feature), --querysubjectnum (subject to segment), --trainingnums (training subjects)

Key Points

Requires training data with manual WMH labels. Uses spatial and intensity features. Performance depends on training data quality and similarity to test data.

Inputs

Name Type Required Label Flag
singlefile File Yes Master file listing subjects, images, masks, and transformations --singlefile=
training_data Directory Yes Directory containing all subject data files referenced in master file
querysubjectnum int Yes Row number in master file for the subject to segment --querysubjectnum=
brainmaskfeaturenum int Yes Column number in master file containing brain mask --brainmaskfeaturenum=
labelfeaturenum int Yes Column number in master file containing manual lesion mask --labelfeaturenum=
trainingnums string Yes Training subject row numbers (comma-separated) or "all" --trainingnums=
output_name string Yes Output file basename -o
featuresubset string No Comma-separated column numbers for intensity features --featuresubset=
matfeaturenum int No Column number containing MNI transformation matrices --matfeaturenum=
spatialweight double No Weighting for MNI spatial coordinates (default 1) --spatialweight=
patchsizes string No Patch sizes in voxels (comma-separated) --patchsizes=
patch3D boolean No Enable 3D patch processing --patch3D
selectpts enum No Non-lesion point selection strategy --selectpts=
trainingpts string No Max lesion training points per subject (number or "equalpoints") --trainingpts=
nonlespts int No Max non-lesion points per subject --nonlespts=
saveclassifierdata string No Save training data to specified file --saveclassifierdata=
loadclassifierdata string No Load pre-saved classifier data from file --loadclassifierdata=
verbose boolean No Verbose output -v

Accepted Input Extensions

  • singlefile: .txt

Outputs

Name Type Glob Pattern
wmh_map File $(inputs.output_name).nii.gz, $(inputs.output_name)
log File bianca.log
err_log File bianca.err.log

Output Extensions

  • wmh_map: .nii.gz

Docker Tags

Available versions: latest, 6.0.4-patched2, 6.0.4-patched, 6.0.4, 6.0.4-xenial, 5.0.11, 6.0.0, 6.0.1, 5.0.9

Categories

  • Structural MRI > FSL > Lesion Segmentation

Documentation

Official Documentation