Implementing verifiable oncological imaging by quality assurance and optimization (i‑Violin) : Protocol for...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Imaging
• Radiology

Background:

• Advanced imaging is crucial in oncology, but variations in CT scanners, protocols, and techniques lead to inconsistent image quality and radiation exposure.
• The i-Violin project aims to address this by implementing verifiable oncological imaging through quality assurance and optimization.
• Harmonizing image quality and radiation dose across Europe is the primary objective.

Purpose of the Study:

• To standardize and harmonize computed tomography (CT) imaging quality and radiation dose in oncological imaging across Europe.
• To implement verifiable oncological imaging through quality assurance and optimization (i-Violin).
• To establish European reference data and foster a culture of optimization in cancer imaging.

Main Methods:

• A 2-year multicenter study focusing on CT imaging for lung, stomach, and colorectal cancer across four radiological indications (diagnosis, RT planning, staging, follow-up).
• Collection and uploading of 480 anonymized patient CT datasets to a repository.
• Radiologists will establish consensus on key structures for image quality assessment and adapt a lung CT tool for objective evaluation, correlating metrics with perceived quality.

Main Results:

• The study will yield European reference data for oncological CT imaging.
• Development of teaching programs for the implemented tools.
• Establishment of a framework for a culture of optimization in oncological CT imaging.

Conclusions:

• Presents the study protocol and rationale for i-Violin, a European approach to standardize and harmonize CT imaging quality and optimize procedures in oncology.
• Future results will be disseminated across EU member states.
• i-Violin is expected to have a sustained positive impact on CT imaging for cancer patients throughout Europe.