Inhomogeneity correction of magnetic resonance images by minimization of intensity overlapping

This work presents a new algorithm (NIC; nonuniform intensity correction) for the correction of intensity inhomogeneities in magnetic resonance images. The algorithm has been validated by means of realistic phantom images and a set of 24 real images. Evaluation using previously proposed phantom images for inhomogeneity correction algorithms allowed us to obtain results fully comparable to the previous literature on the topic. This new algorithm was also compared, using a real image dataset, to other widely used methods which are freely available in the Internet (N3, SPM'99 and SPM2). Standard quality criteria have been used for determining the goodness of the different methods. The new algorithm showed better results removing the intensity inhomogeneities and did not produce degradation when used on images free from this artifact.