Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026
Use of MRI-ultrasound Fusion to Achieve Targeted Prostate Biopsy
Published on: April 9, 2019
Prostate cancer MRI methodological radiomics score: a EuSoMII radiomics auditing group initiative
Armando Ugo Cavallo1, Arnaldo Stanzione2, Andrea Ponsiglione3
1Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata (IDI) IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Objectives:
To evaluate the quality of radiomics research in prostate MRI for the evaluation of prostate cancer (PCa) through the assessment of METhodological RadiomICs (METRICS) score, a new scoring tool recently introduced with the goal of fostering further improvement in radiomics and machine learning methodology.
Materials And Methods:
A literature search was conducted from July 1st, 2019, to November 30th, 2023, to identify original investigations assessing MRI-based radiomics in the setting of PCa. Seven readers with varying expertise underwent a quality assessment using METRICS. Subgroup analyses were performed to assess whether the quality score varied according to papers' categories (diagnosis, staging, prognosis, technical) and quality ratings among these latter.
Results:
From a total of 1106 records, 185 manuscripts were available. Overall, the average METRICS total score was 52% ± 16%. ANOVA and chi-square tests revealed no statistically significant differences between subgroups. Items with the lowest positive scores were adherence to guidelines/checklists (4.9%), handling of confounding factors (14.1%), external testing (15.1%), and the availability of data (15.7%), code (4.3%), and models (1.6%). Conversely, most studies clearly defined patient selection criteria (86.5%), employed a high-quality reference standard (89.2%), and utilized a well-described (85.9%) and clinically applicable (87%) imaging protocol as a radiomics data source.
Conclusion:
The quality of MRI-based radiomics research for PCa in recent studies demonstrated good homogeneity and overall moderate quality.
Key Points:
Question To evaluate the quality of MRI-based radiomics research for PCa, assessed through the METRICS score. Findings The average METRICS total score was 52%, reflecting moderate quality in MRI-based radiomics research for PCa, with no statistically significant differences between subgroups. Clinical relevance Enhancing the quality of radiomics research can improve diagnostic accuracy for PCa, leading to better patient outcomes and more informed clinical decision-making.
Insights
Radiomics research in prostate cancer MRI shows moderate quality, averaging 52% on the METRICS score. Improvements in data sharing and methodology are needed to enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Radiology and Medical Imaging
- Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
- Oncology
Background:
- Radiomics analysis of prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows promise for prostate cancer (PCa) evaluation.
- Standardized quality assessment tools are needed to improve the methodology of radiomics research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the quality of radiomics research in prostate MRI for PCa using the METhodological RadiomICs (METRICS) score.
- To identify areas for improvement in radiomics and machine learning methodology for PCa research.
Main Methods:
- A literature search identified 185 original investigations on MRI-based radiomics for PCa from July 2019 to November 2023.
- Seven readers assessed study quality using the METRICS score, with subgroup analyses based on study categories.
Main Results:
- The average METRICS total score was 52% ± 16%, indicating moderate overall quality.
- Key areas with low scores included adherence to guidelines (4.9%), handling confounding factors (14.1%), external testing (15.1%), and data/code/model availability (1.6%–15.7%).
- Most studies defined patient selection criteria (86.5%), used high-quality reference standards (89.2%), and employed well-described (85.9%) and clinically applicable (87%) imaging protocols.
Conclusions:
- MRI-based radiomics research for PCa demonstrates good homogeneity and moderate overall quality.
- Enhancing research quality, particularly in data sharing and methodological rigor, is crucial for improving PCa diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making.
More Related Videos
05:49Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Biopsy Data to Guide Sampling Procedures for Prostate Cancer Biobanking
Published on: October 10, 2019
06:08A Cognitive Fusion-guided Prostate Biopsy Using Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Transrectal Ultrasound
Published on: March 21, 2025
Related Concept Videos
01:30Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
01:25Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy
Fundamental Principles of PET
01:27Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging