Informatics in radiology (infoRAD): new tools for computer assistance in thoracic CT part 2. Therapy monitoring of pulmonary metastases

Radiographics. 2005 May-Jun;25(3):841-8. doi: 10.1148/rg.253045163.

Abstract

Owing to the rapid development of scanner technology, thoracic computed tomography (CT) offers new possibilities but also faces enormous challenges with respect to the quality of computer-assisted diagnosis and therapy planning. In the framework of the Virtual Institute for Computer Assistance in Clinical Radiology cooperative research project, a software application was developed to assist the radiologist in the analysis of thoracic CT data for the purpose of evaluating the response to tumor therapy. The application provides follow-up support for monitoring of tumor therapy by means of volumetric quantification of tumors and temporal registration. In addition, anatomically adequate three-dimensional visualization techniques for convenient examination of large data sets are included. With close cooperation between computer scientists and radiologists, the application was tested and optimized to achieve a high degree of usability. Several clinical studies were carried out, the results of which indicated that the application improves therapy monitoring with respect to accuracy and time required.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy
  • Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*