Radiological Crossroads: Navigating the Intersection of Virtual Reality and Digital Radiology through a Comprehensive Narrative Review of Reviews

Abstract

The integration of Virtual Reality with radiology is the focus of this study. A narrative review has been proposed to delve into emerging themes within the integration of Virtual Reality in radiology by scrutinizing reviews gathered from PubMed and Scopus. The proposed approach was based on a standard narrative checklist and a qualification process. The selection process identified 20 review studies. Integration of Virtual Reality (VR) in radiology offers potential transformative opportunities also integrated with other emerging technologies. In medical education, VR and AR, using 3D images from radiology, can enhance learning, emphasizing the need for standardized integration. In radiology, VR combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) shows promising prospectives to give a complimentary contribution to diagnosis, treatment planning, and education. Challenges in clinical integration and User Interface design must be addressed. Innovations in medical education, like 3D modeling and AI, has the potential to enable personalized learning, but face standardization challenges. While robotics play a minor role, advancements and potential perspectives are observed in neurosurgery and endovascular systems. Ongoing research and standardization efforts are crucial for maximizing the potential of these integrative technologies in healthcare. In conclusion, the synthesis of these findings underscores the opportunities for advancements in digital radiology and healthcare through the integration of VR. However, challenges exist, and continuous research, coupled with technological refinements, is imperative to unlock the full potential of these integrative approaches in the dynamic and evolving field of medical imaging.

Exploring Augmented Reality Integration in Diagnostic Imaging: Myth or Reality?

“…DICOM has played an important role in integrating digital radiology into digital healthcare, hospital processes, and networks [70,71]. The increasingly advanced capabilities of technology have also pushed voxels toward miniaturization, which indirectly, thanks to DICOM, has significantly boosted integration with AR/VR [72].…”

“…AR devices intended for routine medical use in the health domain must undergo a certification process as medical devices [73]. As seen in [72,73], the FDA has developed a dedicated interface for AR/VR medical devices and structured communication with professionals and citizens [74,75]. Among the FDA-approved medical devices, radiology holds a significant position and is visible online (Figure 8), representing a notable percentage.…”

“…Based on additional insights [72,73], it is evident that such medical devices are classified with a low risk class (Class I), limiting their use to non-diagnostic applications [73,76-78], although they are useful, for example, in providing complementary informational content and, in some cases, enabling patients, whose attention to these issues is growing [79], to provide more informed consent.…”

“…The integration of AR and VR within the healthcare domain, particularly in imaging driven by digital radiology, reflects a growing trend toward genuine integration [72,73]. Certification processes are crucial for integrating devices into the healthcare domain, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards before market introduction [73].…”