Integrating postprocessed functional MR images with picture archiving and communication systems.

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiology
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Functional MRI (fMRI) data is often confined to research applications.
• Lack of standardized data formats hinders clinical integration and accessibility.
• Archiving and sharing postprocessed fMRI data presents significant challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel method for converting postprocessed fMRI images to the DICOM standard.
• To facilitate system-wide access, archiving, and clinical review of fMRI data.
• To enable the use of fMRI data in intraoperative neuronavigation systems.

Main Methods:

• Conversion of postprocessed fMRI images to DICOM format.
• Direct transmission of DICOM images to Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) or DICOM databases.
• Utilizing DICOM-compliant workstations for data review.

Main Results:

• Achieved system-wide access and archiving of previously research-only fMRI data.
• Enabled clinical review of postprocessed fMRI data on standard workstations.
• Facilitated the transfer of fMRI data to intraoperative neuronavigational systems for surgical guidance.

Conclusions:

• The described method effectively integrates postprocessed fMRI data into clinical workflows.
• This approach enhances the utility of fMRI by enabling broader access and application.
• The method is versatile, applicable to various MR datasets and other imaging modalities.