Explanation and Elaboration with Examples for METRICS (METRICS-E3): an initiative from the EuSoMII Radiomics Auditing...

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging Informatics
• Radiomics Research
• Quantitative Imaging

Background:

• Radiomics research quality is often inconsistent, hindering clinical translation.
• The Methodological Radiomics Score (METRICS) was developed to assess study rigor.
• Clearer guidance is needed for effective METRICS application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce METRICS-E3 (Explanation and Elaboration with Examples) as a resource to support METRICS utilization.
• To provide detailed rationales, interpretive guidance, and scoring recommendations for each METRICS item.
• To offer illustrative examples, including positive literature-based and hypothetical negative cases, for each METRICS criterion.

Main Methods:

• Development of METRICS-E3 by the European Society of Medical Imaging Informatics-Radiomics Auditing Group.
• Inclusion of over 200 examples, covering positive and negative cases for each METRICS item and condition.
• Creation of an interactive website for public accessibility of the complete resource.

Main Results:

• METRICS-E3 offers comprehensive support for evaluating radiomics study methodological quality.
• The resource provides deeper insights into each METRICS item with concrete examples and commentary.
• Interpretive guidance, scoring recommendations, and examples are supplemented for each METRICS item and condition.

Conclusions:

• METRICS-E3 complements the METRICS initiative by enhancing the evaluation of methodological quality in radiomics studies.
• The resource aims to improve the consistency and rigor of radiomics research.
• METRICS-E3 is publicly available via an interactive website to support researchers and stakeholders.