A parallelized sparse field method for segmenting a volume dataset is provided. Using a processor a level set field within a multi-dimensional dataset comprising a plurality of voxels is initialized in parallel operation. The multi-dimensional dataset is indicative of an object. An initial set of active voxels is then generated in parallel operation in dependence upon the initialized level set field. New active voxels are determined in parallel operation. Duplicate active voxels are then removed in parallel operation, followed by compacting the active voxels in parallel operation. The process is repeated until a quantitative stopping criterion is met and level set segmentation data indicative of a feature of the object are determined in dependence upon the level set field.