Jim L. Mulshine, MD of Rush University discusses the veterans administration’s lung cancer pilot study that about 40% of scans were of poor technical quality. The pilot study that was done by the VA suggests that there is a need for the systems to be worked out to do screening. However, the most disconcerting was the fact that at least 40% of the images made for that service were of very poor technical quality. So, before making decisions of whos at risk for lung cancer and who needs more active workups, its better to go back and look at the process. It was also being known that around 40% of the studies made on this area are technically inadequate. So, quality control is indeed in need for these quantitative imaging and other imaging studies in order to come up with a reliable clinical management support.
Dr. Mulshine is currently working with RSNA and the quantitative imaging biomarker alliance to develop quality procedures that will allow doctors to be more comfortable in making clinical decisions, especially in the early screening context.