DIFFUSION TENSOR SURFACE VISUALIZATION

A computer implemented method for diffusion tensor visualization includes receiving diffusion weighted image slice data, segmenting a diffusion tensor field from the diffusion weighted image slice data to determine a three-dimensional triangular mesh, and determining a fractional anisotropy field and a principle diffusion direction field of the diffusion tensor field. The method includes determining a streamline through each surface point on a segmented surface of the diffusion tensor field according to the principle diffusion direction field, determining an oriented texture intensity for the surface points from corresponding streamlines, determining a surface color for the surface points by combining the oriented texture intensity, a color determined from the principle diffusion direction field, and a value of fractional anisotropy field at the surface points, and visualizing the surface points by rendering the surface points having the corresponding surface colors.