Journal Article

Review of consensus test methods in medical imaging and current practices in photoacoustic image quality assessment

Vogt, William C., Agrawal, Anant, Pfefer, T. Joshua, Jokerst, Jesse V., Palma-Chavez, Jorge

2021

Overview

Significance: Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a powerful emerging technology with broad clinical applications, but consensus test methods are needed to standardize performance evaluation and accelerate translation. Aim: To review consensus image quality test methods for mature imaging modalities [ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), x-ray CT, and x-ray mammography], identify best practices in phantom design and testing procedures, and compare against current practices in PAI phantom testing. Approach: We reviewed scientific papers, international standards, clinical accreditation guidelines, and professional society recommendations describing medical image quality test methods. Observations are organized by image quality characteristics (IQCs), including spatial resolution, geometric accuracy, imaging depth, uniformity, sensitivity, low-contrast detectability, and artifacts. Results: Consensus documents typically prescribed phantom geometry and material property requirements, as well as specific data acquisition and analysis protocols to optimize test consistency and reproducibility. While these documents considered a wide array of IQCs, reported PAI phantom testing focused heavily on in-plane resolution, depth of visualization, and sensitivity. Understudied IQCs that merit further consideration include out-of-plane resolution, geometric accuracy, uniformity, low-contrast detectability, and co-registration accuracy. Conclusions: Available medical image quality standards provide a blueprint for establishing consensus best practices for photoacoustic image quality assessment and thus hastening PAI technology advancement, translation, and clinical adoption.

• Publisher: Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers,S P I E - International Society for
• Subject: Accreditation / Accuracy / Best practice / Computed tomography / Consensus / Consensus Statements as Topic / Data acquisition / Design / Documents / Geometric accuracy / Humans / Image contrast / Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Image quality / International standards / Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Mammography / Material properties / Medical imaging / New technology / Performance evaluation / Phantoms, Imaging / Product life cycle / Professional associations / Quality assessment / Quality control / Quality standards / Reproducibility of Results / Review Papers / Sensitivity / Spatial discrimination / Spatial resolution / Standardization / Standardized tests / Test methods / Test procedures / Testing procedures / Translation / Ultrasonic imaging / X ray imagery