Medical Imaging Software Allows for Faster Diagnosis

New technology has been developed that could help radiologists perform volumetric imaging reads two to three times faster.

Developed by Blackford Analysis (Edinburgh, Scotland, UK), the medical imaging technology makes it possible for radiologists to anatomically link small features such as lung nodules between studies for the first time within the picture archiving and communication system (PACS).

While the radiology imaging software will also align computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging from any part of the body, instant anatomic alignment in the chest is a major breakthrough, given respiratory movement and the requirement for a deformable registration.

Blackford Analysis’ technology greatly reduces the time it takes to compare current and prior studies, a drain of radiologist’s time as volumetric datasets increase in size and complexity and become routine. A major advantage of the software is that it designed for incorporation in the existing PACS environment so radiologists can use it without having to interrupt their natural review processes by moving to another workstation. Significantly, the alignment is achieved without any alteration of the raw slice data so radiologists do not need to worry about the authenticity of what they are reviewing.

This advanced diagnostic radiology technology has already been effectively used for abdominal navigation, brain aneurysm tracking, chest and lung alignment, lung nodule follow-up, and longitudinal tumor tracking. It has even been utilized to trace the vascular system through a CT whole-body runoff while maintaining proper anatomic alignment with other scans of the patient.
A typical challenge faced by radiologists is finding lung nodules identified in a prior to compare with a current study. Large nodules may be apparent but smaller nodules can be difficult to detect, particularly when scans are captured at different stages of the inhalation cycle or using different modalities. This software is so simple to use that the radiologist only has to click on the lung nodule in the first volume to be taken to the same point in the second.

Dr. Matthew Barish, director of body imaging at Stony Brook University Medical Center (Stony Brook, NY, USA), said, “Blackford Analysis’ new technology is a remarkable step forward in radiologist time efficiency while maintaining or increasing diagnostic accuracy. By synchronizing multiple datasets in 3D [three-dimensional] space, Blackford Analysis’ application is a paradigm shift, which allows radiologists to concentrate on lesion characterization and diagnosis, rather than struggling with navigation issues. Since imaging is increasingly used to monitor the effects of therapy, radiologists are required to locate lesions or other pathology across multiple datasets obtained during the treatment course. Frequently, the imaging parameters and even modality may change during therapy, requiring the radiologist to devote a considerable amount of time locating the same lesion across multiple datasets. For example, if a patient has multiple pulmonary metastases, and the radiologist is trying to determine if disease has progressed, the current process requires the radiologist to manually match each individual lesion across each of the multiple data sets, requiring considerable time and effort, and leaving uncertainty that each individual lesion has been accurately followed. Blackford Analysis’s software solves this navigation problem and will lead to a faster, more accurate diagnosis.”

Reporting an average lung nodule follow up normally takes approximately 20 minutes, with over half of the time spent searching backwards and forwards between current and prior scans to find nodules. Blackford Analysis technology reduces this process to a single minute--saving, on average, 40% of the time taken for the entire read.

“With increasing numbers of images per study, increasing numbers of prior studies, and decreasing reimbursement, radiologists find it more and more challenging to meet the productivity requirements while maintaining diagnostic accuracy. Blackford Analysis’ software achieves the rare combination of increasing productivity and increasing diagnostic confidence,” stated Dr. Barish.

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