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Identification and Characterization of Leptomeningeal Metastases Using SPINE, A Web-Based Collaborative Platform
Madhvi Deol1, Miklos Palotai2, Alfredo Morales Pinzon2
1Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Summary
Structured education using a novel platform improved the reproducibility of leptomeningeal metastases (LM) scoring among radiologists. This approach enhances consistency in reporting these challenging cancer metastases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroradiology
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Leptomeningeal metastases (LMs) are associated with poor prognosis.
- Current LM scoring systems lack reproducibility.
- Novel methods are needed to improve LM assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of education level on LM scoring reproducibility.
- To evaluate a novel web-based platform (SPINE) for LM analysis.
- To investigate inter-rater agreement in LM characterization.
Main Methods:
- Implemented stringent radiological definitions and a customized scoring system in the SPINE platform.
- Analyzed brain MRIs from patients with and without LM by attendings, fellows, and residents.
- Characterized LMs by location, shape, size, and spatial extension.
Main Results:
- Higher inter-rater agreement for LM detection and characterization was observed among attending neuroradiologists compared to fellows and residents.
- Agreement was low for specific LM types (ventricular, cranial nerve, mixed shape) even among attendings.
- The number of brainstem LMs correlated significantly with patient survival.
Conclusions:
- Structured education via the SPINE platform shows potential to improve consistency in LM reporting.
- Further research is needed to evaluate this approach's impact on longitudinal analyses and treatment response assessment.
