Accurate and unambiguous communication of derived image-related information is critical for the emerging applications of quantitative imaging (QI). Actively researched areas in QI include segmentation of normal organs and pathology, spatial registration across time-points and modalities, and performing measurements.Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM), first released in 1993 is the standard supported ubiquitously by the commercial imaging devices. DICOM defines both communication interfaces and data formats for images and image-related information (including measurements, ROIs and segmentations). The data formats (object classes) can be used separately (e.g., stored on media) from the communication interfaces.While a variety of DICOM object classes exist for describing such derived image-related information, thus far they found very limited acceptance both in the academic community and among the manufacturers of radiology workstations implementing QI analysis methods. As a result, longitudinal tracking, comparison of methods, and secondary analyses are challenging, while QI assessment of patients is difficult or impossible to perform across different platforms.In the proposed exhibit we will explore and demonstrate application of DICOM to interoperable and structured communication of QI analysis results.
METHODOLOGY/APPLICATIONWe will demonstrate support for communication of image segmentation and the quantitative measurements derived from the segmentations, as provided by the following objects defined in the DICOM standard: DICOM Segmentation image object (SEG) is representing a classification of pixels in one or more referenced images. Among other capabilities, SEG provides unambiguous specification of the anatomy being segmented using structured terminology. DICOM Parametric Map object (PM) can be used to encode floating-point pixel maps of derived parameters, such as results of pharmacokinetic analysis of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI. DICOM Structured reporting template 1500 (SR-TID1500) can be used to communicate measurements over the image region defined by, for example, SEG.
DEMONSTRATION STRATEGYThis exhibit will continue and further expand the scope of the prior QIRR exhibit at RSNA 2015, and will have the components described below: Software demonstration component will provide live demonstrations of publicly available QI analysis workstations (such as 3D Slicer, ePAD, MITK Workbench, MeVisLab and OHIF Viewer), as well as live and/or recorded demonstrations of the capabilities of the commercial products supporting SEG (Brainlab, Mint, RadConnect). We will demonstrate 3D Slicer user-level workflows that allow export and import of SEG and SR-TID1500, and provide visualization of the quantitative measurements, linked to the locations of the findings in the images. Community repositories demonstration component will discuss DICOM SEG, PM and SR datasets available publicly in repositories, such as the NCI Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA). Connectathon component will demonstrate how SEG objects generated by one participating workstation can be interpreted by another workstation. A collection of sample SEG, PM and SR-TID1500 objects produced by the participating workstations will be publicly available. We will provide a status update on the nascent effort of developing mechanisms and tools to support conversion between certain types of Annotation Image Markup (AIM) documents and SR-TID1500. Educational component will provide in-depth coverage of the capabilities provided by DICOM related to QI support in the form of poster. Tool inventory component will share a publicly accessible catalog of the software tools that support DICOM applied to QI.As compared to our QIRR exhibit at RSNA 2015, we will expand the scope by discussing and demonstrating new types of the relevant DICOM objects, introducing new user-level workflows in 3D Slicer to support structured communication and visualization of QI analysis results and include plans for adoption of these new DICOM objects by the various tools. In addition to the tools participating last year (3D Slicer, ePAD, ClearCanvas and Brainlab) we will also present new tools and workstations (MITK, Mint, XNAT, AMI, OHIF Viewer/Cornerstone, RadConnect and MeVisLab) — both freely available and commercial — that support the relevant DICOM object types.
REFERENCES AND PUBLICATIONSFedorov et al. DICOM for quantitative imaging biomarker development: A standards based approach to sharing of clinical data and structured PET/CT analysis results in head and neck cancer research. PeerJ PrePrints. 2015.Fedorov et al. 3D Slicer as an image computing platform for the Quantitative Imaging Network. Magn Reson Imaging. 2012. 30:1323–1341Rubin et al., Automated tracking of quantitative assessments of tumor burden in clinical trials. 2014. Transl Oncol, 7(1):23-35
Meet-the-Experts Schedule: Tuesday 12:15pm - 1:15pm
Wednesday 12:15pm - 1:15pm
Thursday 12:15pm - 1:15pm
Presenters or authors on this event have been recognized as RSNA Honored Educators for participating in multiple qualifying educational activities. Honored Educators are invested in furthering the profession of radiology by delivering high-quality educational content in their field of study. Learn how you can become an honored educator by visiting the website at: https://www.rsna.org/Honored-Educator-Award/
Daniel L. Rubin, MD, MS - 2012 Honored Educator
Daniel L. Rubin, MD, MS - 2013 Honored Educator