CT Acquisition Protocol Groundwork

Goal:

Proposed Protocol

Q. Should we propose two protocols 1) for high resolution; and (2) for world-wide trials in patients with late stage disease?

<Lets start with a blend of NLST and ACRIN 6678 (see below)>

Related Work

Defining Acquisition Protocols

ACRIN has defined a number of protocols for CT-based clinical trials.

• CT Lung Specific protocols and QA procedures are discussed in work done for the ACRIN National Lung Screening Trial
  • Table provides comparable acq. parameters for different scanners (16-18 models)
  • Maps corresponding differences in terms and header details
• ACRIN 6678 is a diagnostic-oriented (less concern on dose) that also does similar work
  • Does not appear to have the comprehensive table of parameters that NLST does
  • FOV (Field of View) is an issue because of interactions between the needs of CT and PET

Reviewing Acquisition Protocols

UPICT is preparing a process for proposing/reviewing protocols and has access to experts for reviews.

It would likely be beneficial to review our proposed protocols with them.

Storing/Transfering Acquisition Protocols

DICOM is working on a format for encoding acquisition protocols as DICOM objects which can be stored/retrieved.

Field Testing Acquisition Protocols

Q. Should we broadcast our proposed protocols for general use in pharma trials that are starting up now, before we complete our profiles and groundwork?