Automated atlas-based segmentation for skull base surgical planning.

Currently available open-source algorithms, such as the Elastix deformable algorithm, can be used for automated atlas-based segmentation of skull base structures with acceptable clinical accuracy and minimal corrections with the use of the proposed atlas. The first publicly available CT template and anterior skull base segmentation atlas being released (available at this link: http://hdl.handle.net/1773/46259 ) with this paper will allow for general use of automated atlas-based segmentation of the skull base.