User Interface of a Teleradiology System for the MR Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the image display of a web-based teleradiology system that uses a common web browser and has no need of proprietary applets, plug-ins, or dedicated software for DICOM display. The teleradiology system (TS) is connected to the Internet by ADSL and to radiological modalities using the DICOM standard with TCP/IP. Images were displayed on a PC through Internet connection with the remote TS using a common web browser. MS lesion number and volume in T1- and T2-weighted images (T1w and T2w, respectively) of 30 brain MR studies were quantified using both the TS and a conventional software. Wilcoxon signed ranks test and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to assess the variability and concordance between intra- and inter-observer and TS and conventional DICOM viewer, setting significance at p < 0.05. No significant differences in T1w and T2w volumes between the TS and the conventional software were found by either operator. The ICC results showed a high level of inter-operator agreement in volume estimation in T1w and T2w images using the two systems. Quantitative assessment of MS lesion volumes in T1w and T2w images with a user interface of a teleradiology system that allows the consultation by means of a common web browser, without the need for proprietary plug-ins, applets, or dedicated software for DICOM display showed no significant differences from, and almost complete agreement with, conventional DICOM viewers.

Brain health: time matters in multiple sclerosis

“…Analysis of lesions on MRI scans using software that runs in a web browser Similar results to those obtained using conventional software (Luccichenti et al, 2010) Remote assessment of disability Clinically valid information and similar total EDSS scores compared with 'in-person assessments' using a videoconference link (Kane et al, 2008) or low-cost webcam (Wood et al, 2013) Home-based rehabilitation programmes Improvements in function, such as walking, balance (Finkelstein et al, 2008) and postural control (Ortiz-Gutierrez et al, 2013) Low-level evidence for reduction in impairments (such as fatigue, pain and insomnia) and improvement in functional activities and participation, based on a systematic review of nine randomized controlled trials (Khan et al, 2015) Brief telecounselling sessions and home monitoring…”

“…Modern technology can be used to address some of the inequalities in access to diagnostic services and ongoing specialist care for people with MS, as indicated by a number of pilot studies in the field of telemedicine (remote diagnosis, treatment or ongoing management using telecommunications technology) ( Table 2) (Finkelstein et al, 2008;Kane et al, 2008;Luccichenti et al, 2010;Zissman et al, 2012;Ortiz-Gutierrez et al, 2013;Wood et al, 2013;Turner et al, 2014;Khan et al, 2015). Although telemedicine has proved to be extremely useful for servicing remote populations, it does not solve the problem of a low density of services per capita.…”

A Survey of DICOM Viewer Software to Integrate Clinical Research and Medical Imaging

“…Regarding 3D viewing, OsiriX Lite and MicroView fulfill the most criteria of standalone (both 5 criteria), Xero Conquest, DCM4CHEE or Orthanc PACS for WADO required, 7 comprehensive documentation in wiki, 8 Forum offline, 9 Displays only first slice of test data, 10 Using startup macro feature, 11 Saves annotations in other formats, but not DICOM, 12 Requires Oviyam, 13 Designated, but not working, 14 Annotated objects could not be reopened, 15 Requires DCM4CHEE PACS, 16 Runs only with Google Chrome, Images cannot be stored, 34 Seems to be not working correctly in demo (3 criteria) of web-based, and ImageJ as well as MIPAV (both 5 criteria) of platform-independent viewers.…”

“…Integrating data, context, and functionality of components improve the workflow of medical personal, particularly in clinical trials [5]. Various approaches have been published, where DICOM viewer tools have been integrated into system architectures [11][12][13]. For this, a compatible platform and the availability of interfaces are essential.…”

Compression of Image Sequences in Interactive Medical Teleconsultations

“…The architecture of a typical system devoted to remote diagnostics is relatively simple: it includes sending appropriate data, analyzing it on the remote side, and returning the diagnosis -usually in the form of a textual descriptions and image annotations. Examples of such a system can be found in [6,16,19]. Advanced systems allow for interactive, synchronous, online collaborations.…”