Lung texture analysis for measuring interstitial lung diseases

Innovations

Lung texture provides a quantitative analysis and 3D visualisation to support personalised diagnosis and care planning. The software can automatically receive standard DICOM high-resolution CT images from any CT scanner or PACS, run lung texture analysis and return the output back to the original patient study in the institution's PACS without physician involvement.

Current care pathway

People with suspected interstitial lung disease or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are often referred from their GP to a chest specialist. To confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of the disease, a CT scan of the lungs is usually needed. High-resolution CT scanning is most used and visually analysed by 1 radiologist. Pulmonary function tests are done to measure total lung capacity including forced vital capacity, an important measurement to assess lung function. A lung biopsy may also be done, where a small sample of lung tissue is taken using a keyhole procedure and examined under a microscope. Lung tissue can also be taken during a bronchoscopy. During a bronchoscopy, a tube with a camera on the end (an endoscope) is passed through the mouth or nose into the airways. Tiny tools on the endoscope are used take a sample of lung tissue.

The following publications have been identified as relevant to this care pathway:

Population, setting and intended user

Lung texture analysis is intended to be used in addition to the current methods of assessment for people who have confirmed or suspected idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease or other fibrotic conditions. The technology is designed to help clinicians in diagnosing and managing these conditions by providing a computer-assisted reading of high-resolution CT lung scans, which are done at centres across the UK. Visual assessment of scans can be challenging and time consuming. It is also common to have low levels of agreement between clinicians, even among expert readers.

Costs