| 1. |
The primary purpose of this project is to develop an image database for the evaluation of CAD methods for lung nodule detection and diagnosis using helical CT.
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1.1 |
The database is to contain helical CT images of representative cases selected
from lung cancer screening studies or diagnostic studies. The database should
enable the correlation of performance of CAD methods for detection and
classification of lung nodules with spatial, temporal and pathological ground
truth. The database is to be web-accessible by the imaging research community
as soon as possible. It should provide a resource for the training and
development of CAD methods. The Consortium will document evaluation metrics
that are valid for various CAD tasks as reported in the literature and that can
be used to assess investigator-developed CAD methods for lung nodule detection
and classification (benign/malignant). These quantitative methods are intended
to facilitate comparison of the relative performance of published CAD methods.
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1.2 |
The database is envisioned to be a single repository through which
investigators can:
(a) define subsets of data for individual research purposes using a query system, and
(b) define consistent reference subsets of data to evaluate the relative performance of CAD methods using a specified or recommended query method.
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1.3 |
The fields in the relational database should have sufficient detail to allow a
wide range of search parameters. All patient-identifying information will be
removed and the data anonymized, so that such information cannot be tracked.
Database fields should include, for example:
(a) specifications of the CT system used to generate the image and its image acquisition protocols;
(b) case parameters and reconstruction methods for representative normal and cancer
cases, including serial studies that are important for evaluation of CAD methods;
(c) spatial and pathological ground truth data, to allow a cross-correlation with computed results;
(d) the possibility for use of a flexible query system to allow for the evaluation of other future performance parameters for CAD, other image processing methods and related observer studies.
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| 2. |
Secondary goals for this database include:
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2.1 |
Storage of raw CT image data, to permit exploration of alternative image
reconstruction methods or different reconstructed slice thicknesses that may
affect the performance of CAD methods, or to permit the evaluation of CAD
methods that incorporate the physical performance characteristics of the CT
system,
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2.2 |
Storage of images acquired through other tomographic modalities such as PET, to
explore improved means for classification of lung nodules, and
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2.3 |
Storage of digital chest images to permit the development and evaluation of CAD
methods for this modality.
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