Physics of Quantitative Techniques in CT, MRI, and Ultrasound
Description
Widespread adoption of quantitative imaging (QI) techniques has been hampered due to limited information regarding precision, bias, repeatability and reproducibility. Session speakers will describe state-of-the-art QI techniques in spectral CT, quantitative MRI (QMRI) and quantitative ultrasound (QUS), and discuss key steps essential to clinical translation. Spectral CT: Improved material characterization from spectral CT has enabled routine QI in clinical practice. However, quantitative stability remains affected by inter-scanner variability and hardware/software changes. The speaker will discuss methods for characterizing precision, repeatability, and reproducibility in novel photon-counting CT which is vital to diagnostic assessment and longitudinal disease monitoring. Quantitative MRI: Current clinical MRI is largely qualitative likely due to a combination of technical and non-technical barriers to the translation of QMRI. One area where quantitative MRI methods have been successfully validated and clinically translated is diffuse liver disease, including the assessment of liver fat, iron, and fibrosis. This seminar will review some of the likely factors, including clinical relevance, sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility that has allowed MRI biomarkers of diffuse liver disease to be successfully translated. The overall goal is to identify key steps for translation of quantitative MRI biomarkers across organs and applications. Quantitative ultrasound: This talk will provide an overview of current initiatives in QUS and highlight its importance in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making. Topics include shear wave elastography for tissue stiffness assessment, volumetric blood flow quantification using 3D ultrasound, characterization of tissue acoustic properties with pulse-echo techniques, and time-intensity curve analysis in contrast-enhanced ultrasound.