Jason C. Crane PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Marram Beck Olson BS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sarah J. Nelson PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Despite the existence of a DICOM standard for encoding MR Spectroscopy (MRS) data objects, current datasets are commonly created using non-standard file formats. This results in a low degree of interoperability and transparency between software packages for reconstruction, post-processing, visualization and storage of MRS data.  This hinders the development and validation of MRS post-processing methodologies as well as the integration of data into routine radiological workflows. A free, open-source, cross-platform DICOM MR spectroscopy based software framework and applications are presented here to support reading/writing, processing and visualization of DICOM MRS data sets.  Key IO modules within the framework support conversion from common non-DICOM MRS formats to the DICOM MRS standard.  This framework is intended to provide a platform for sharing and evaluating new algorithms, and to enable clinicians and researchers to leverage PACS or other DICOM tools for storage, communication and discovery of spectroscopic data.  A DICOM MRS visualization and processing plug-in for OsiriX was developed from this framework to facilitate integration of MRS data into the widely utilized software package.

The present framework provides APIs and components for MRS application development.  The primary classes support IO, algorithms, visualization and multi-dimensional data structures.  The framework is implemented in C++, extending and leveraging the VTK and DCMTK packages and is supported on Linux, Solaris, OsX and Windows platforms. 

The present framework integrates MRS reconstruction and processing algorithms developed at UCSF.  However, the open-source project welcomes and encourages contributions and participation from the broad spectroscopy community to foster advances MRS methodology development.

The present open-source MRS software framework and OsiriX plug-in demonstrate the ability to convert vendor specific MRS files to DICOM MR Spectroscopy objects, and to process and display spectroscopic data within OsiriX.  This enables the free flow and interoperability of MRS data between PACS and other DICOM applications for processing, visualization, storage and sharing.

Crane, J, Olson, M, Nelson, S, Open Source DICOM MR Spectroscopy Software Framework and Plug-in for OsiriX.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8010340.html