Difference between revisions of "Imaging informatics"
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As radiology is an inherently data-intensive and technology-driven specialty of medicine, radiologists have become leaders in imaging informatics. However, with the proliferation of digitized images to other fields such as cardiology, dermatology, surgery, gastroenterology, obstetrics, gynecology, and pathology, advances in imaging informatics are also being tested and applied in other areas of medicine.<ref name="KagadisInfoCH4">{{cite book |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=JTYb3SZZraYC&pg=PA41 |chapter=Chapter 4: DICOM |title=Informatics in Medical Imaging |author=Horii, Steven C. |publisher=CRC Press |year=2011 |pages=41–68|isbn=9781439831243 |accessdate=09 June 2014}}</ref> | As radiology is an inherently data-intensive and technology-driven specialty of medicine, radiologists have become leaders in imaging informatics. However, with the proliferation of digitized images to other fields such as cardiology, dermatology, surgery, gastroenterology, obstetrics, gynecology, and pathology, advances in imaging informatics are also being tested and applied in other areas of medicine.<ref name="KagadisInfoCH4">{{cite book |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=JTYb3SZZraYC&pg=PA41 |chapter=Chapter 4: DICOM |title=Informatics in Medical Imaging |author=Horii, Steven C. |publisher=CRC Press |year=2011 |pages=41–68|isbn=9781439831243 |accessdate=09 June 2014}}</ref> | ||
==Diagnostic imaging modalities== | |||
Medical images created, studied, and mined in imaging informatics come from several modalities<ref name="BranstetterPractical">{{cite book |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Q6Hc0oMyiYYC&pg=PA3 |chapter=Chapter 1: Medical Imaging Modalities and Digital Images |title=Practical Imaging Informatics: Foundations and Applications for PACS Professionals |author=Andriole, Katherine P. |publisher=Springer |year=2009 |pages=3–14 |isbn=9781441904850 |accessdate=09 June 2014}}</ref>: | |||
'''Projection radiology''' utilizes X-rays to provide a grayscale image representing X-ray attenuation. The advantages of it include being fast, easy to perform, and inexpensive. Disadvantages include problems with low-contrast differentiations, image interpretation, and the use of ionizing radiation. | |||
'''Fluorography''' utilizes a continuous low-power X-ray beam to provide a grayscale "movie" for real-time feedback. It has the advantage of capturing movement-based measurements for barium studies or placement of catheters. It's primary disadvantage is in the quality of the radiograph. | |||
'''Computed tomography''' (CT) utilizes a moving collimated X-ray beam and a series of detectors to produce a digital image based on the X-ray attenuation of tissues. It has the advantage of providing finer resolutions, especially among tissues with similar densities. Disadvantages include high costs, the propensity for high-density artifacts, and the use of high doses of ionizing radiation. | |||
'''Magnetic resonance imaging''' (MRI) utilizes a high-intensity magnetic field with controlled radiofrequency pulses to provide a grayscale image based on the magnetic properties of nuclei in the tissues of the body. Advantages include excellent soft tissue contrast and resolution, can image on any plane, and doesn't use ionizing radiation. Disadvantages include high costs, lengthy scan times, and an inability to show calcification. | |||
'''Positron emission tomography''' (PET) utilizes X-ray or gamma-ray emitting radioisotopes placed into the body, their decay measured as pulses of light using photomultiplier tubes, which is then converted into a grayscale image. This method has the advantage of producing fine targeted measurements of chemical-physiologic tissue function. The high cost and need for a cyclotron to produce the radioisotopes pose challenges to some medical facilities. | |||
'''Ultrasound''' utilizes high-frequency sound waves from a transducer, which also receives reflected sound and converts it to an electrical signal and then a grayscale image. Ultrasound has the benefit of being low-cost, safe, and useful for analyzing soft tissues like the kidneys, liver, and pancreas. Disadvantages include its operator dependence and its inability to render quality images in obese patients. | |||
'''Visible light''' is used in some cases, though with limited practicality. It's most often used in the imaging of tissues in light microscopy and imaging the retina. | |||
==Application== | ==Application== | ||
Imaging informatics can help tackle problems and tasks such as the following<ref name="BranstetterBasics" />: | |||
* | * the creation and management of [[picture archiving and communication system]]s (PACS) and component systems | ||
* | * the embedding of medical images in [[electronic medical record]]s | ||
* | * the development of [[radiology information system]]s (RIS) | ||
* the acquisition of images from medical devices | |||
* | * the development of image processing and enhancement software | ||
* | * the 3D visualization of medical imaging data | ||
* | * the integration of speech recognition into imaging apps for quicker reporting turnaround | ||
* the design of imaging facilities | |||
* | * the development of imaging vocabularies and ontologies | ||
* | * the mining of data from medical imaging databases | ||
* the development of [[DICOM]], [[Health Level 7|HL7]], and other standards | |||
* | |||
* | |||
* | |||
==Informatics== | ==Informatics== | ||
*Transforming the Radiological Interpretation Process (TRIP)<ref>TRIP - an initiative between the then Society of Computer Applications in Radiology (SCAR), now known as the Society of Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM) [http://www.scarnet.net/trip/html/What_is_TRIP.htm]</ref> | |||
Revision as of 19:14, 9 June 2014
Imaging informatics (also known as radiology informatics or medical imaging informatics) involves the intersection between health informatics and bioinformatics that aims to improve the efficiency, accuracy, usability, and reliability of medical imaging services within the context of the healthcare environment.[1] "Notably, medical imaging informatics addresses not only the images themselves, but encompasses the associated date to understand the context of the imaging study; to document observations; and to correlate and reach new conclusions about a disease and the course of a medical problem."[2]
More specifically it is devoted to the study of how information about and contained within medical images is acquired, stored, exchanged, analyzed, and enhanced throughout the medical enterprise. Medical images must be in a standard, symbolic, and reproducible format for proper acquisition and storage. Computer-related transmission protocols like TCP/IP, HTTP, and DICOM as well as organized, sensical transaction diagrams are required for proper data exchange. And because of all those protocols and standards, software can be created and utilized to analyze, enhance, and even mine medical images for useful real-world healthcare data.[3]
As radiology is an inherently data-intensive and technology-driven specialty of medicine, radiologists have become leaders in imaging informatics. However, with the proliferation of digitized images to other fields such as cardiology, dermatology, surgery, gastroenterology, obstetrics, gynecology, and pathology, advances in imaging informatics are also being tested and applied in other areas of medicine.[4]
Diagnostic imaging modalities
Medical images created, studied, and mined in imaging informatics come from several modalities[5]:
Projection radiology utilizes X-rays to provide a grayscale image representing X-ray attenuation. The advantages of it include being fast, easy to perform, and inexpensive. Disadvantages include problems with low-contrast differentiations, image interpretation, and the use of ionizing radiation.
Fluorography utilizes a continuous low-power X-ray beam to provide a grayscale "movie" for real-time feedback. It has the advantage of capturing movement-based measurements for barium studies or placement of catheters. It's primary disadvantage is in the quality of the radiograph.
Computed tomography (CT) utilizes a moving collimated X-ray beam and a series of detectors to produce a digital image based on the X-ray attenuation of tissues. It has the advantage of providing finer resolutions, especially among tissues with similar densities. Disadvantages include high costs, the propensity for high-density artifacts, and the use of high doses of ionizing radiation.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) utilizes a high-intensity magnetic field with controlled radiofrequency pulses to provide a grayscale image based on the magnetic properties of nuclei in the tissues of the body. Advantages include excellent soft tissue contrast and resolution, can image on any plane, and doesn't use ionizing radiation. Disadvantages include high costs, lengthy scan times, and an inability to show calcification.
Positron emission tomography (PET) utilizes X-ray or gamma-ray emitting radioisotopes placed into the body, their decay measured as pulses of light using photomultiplier tubes, which is then converted into a grayscale image. This method has the advantage of producing fine targeted measurements of chemical-physiologic tissue function. The high cost and need for a cyclotron to produce the radioisotopes pose challenges to some medical facilities.
Ultrasound utilizes high-frequency sound waves from a transducer, which also receives reflected sound and converts it to an electrical signal and then a grayscale image. Ultrasound has the benefit of being low-cost, safe, and useful for analyzing soft tissues like the kidneys, liver, and pancreas. Disadvantages include its operator dependence and its inability to render quality images in obese patients.
Visible light is used in some cases, though with limited practicality. It's most often used in the imaging of tissues in light microscopy and imaging the retina.
Application
Imaging informatics can help tackle problems and tasks such as the following[1]:
- the creation and management of picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) and component systems
- the embedding of medical images in electronic medical records
- the development of radiology information systems (RIS)
- the acquisition of images from medical devices
- the development of image processing and enhancement software
- the 3D visualization of medical imaging data
- the integration of speech recognition into imaging apps for quicker reporting turnaround
- the design of imaging facilities
- the development of imaging vocabularies and ontologies
- the mining of data from medical imaging databases
- the development of DICOM, HL7, and other standards
Informatics
- Transforming the Radiological Interpretation Process (TRIP)[6]
External links
Notes
This article reuses a few elements from the Wikipedia article.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Branstetter, B. (2007). "Basics of Imaging Informatics". Radiology 243 (3): 656–67. doi:10.1148/radiol.2433060243. PMID 17431128. http://pubs.rsna.org/doi/full/10.1148/radiol.2433060243. Retrieved 09 June 2014.
- ↑ Bui, Alex A. T.; Taira, Ricky K.; Kangerloo, Hooshang (2009). "Chapter 1: Introduction". Medical Imaging Informatics. Springer. ISBN 9781441903853. http://books.google.com/books?id=3JClHj3SXjwC&pg=PA3. Retrieved 09 June 2014.
- ↑ Langer, Steve G. (2011). "Chapter 2: Informatics Constructs". Informatics in Medical Imaging. CRC Press. pp. 15–23. ISBN 9781439831243. http://books.google.com/books?id=JTYb3SZZraYC&pg=PA15. Retrieved 09 June 2014.
- ↑ Horii, Steven C. (2011). "Chapter 4: DICOM". Informatics in Medical Imaging. CRC Press. pp. 41–68. ISBN 9781439831243. http://books.google.com/books?id=JTYb3SZZraYC&pg=PA41. Retrieved 09 June 2014.
- ↑ Andriole, Katherine P. (2009). "Chapter 1: Medical Imaging Modalities and Digital Images". Practical Imaging Informatics: Foundations and Applications for PACS Professionals. Springer. pp. 3–14. ISBN 9781441904850. http://books.google.com/books?id=Q6Hc0oMyiYYC&pg=PA3. Retrieved 09 June 2014.
- ↑ TRIP - an initiative between the then Society of Computer Applications in Radiology (SCAR), now known as the Society of Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM) [1]
