Population-Based Imaging and Radiomics: Rationale and Perspective of the German National Cohort MRI Study

Abstract

The MRI study within the German National Cohort, a large-scale, population-based, longitudinal study in Germany, comprises comprehensive characterization and phenotyping of a total of 30 000 participants using 3-Tesla whole-body MR imaging. A multi-centric study design was established together with dedicated core facilities for e. g. managing incidental findings or providing quality assurance. As such, the study represents a unique opportunity to substantially impact imaging-based risk stratification leading to personalized and precision medicine. Supported by the developments in the field of computational science, the newly developing scientific field of radiomics has large potential for the future. In the present article we provide an overview on population-based imaging and Radiomics and conceptualize the rationale and design of the MRI study within the German National Cohort.

Key Points:

• Population-based imaging and Radiomics constitute two emerging fields with great oppertunities and challenges for Radiology.

• As part of the MRI-study of the NAKO approximately 30 000 subjects will undergo 3 Tesla whole-body MRI.

• MR Imaging data is publicly accessable and will provide important insights into the natural history of disease processes and personalized risk profiles of the general population.

Citation Format:

• Schlett CL, Hendel T, Weckbach S et al. Population-Based Imaging and Radiomics: Rationale and Perspective of the German National Cohort MRI Study. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2016; 188: 652 – 661

Zusammenfassung

Die NAKO Studie, eine bundesdeutsche populationsbasierte Längsschnittstudie, umfasst neben anderen Untersuchungen eine umfangreiche Phänotypisierung von insgesamt etwa 30 000 Teilnehmern mittels 3 Tesla Ganzkörper-MRT. Hierzu wurde ein multizentrisches Design in Verbindung mit umfangreichen Elementen zur Qualitätssicherung und Algorithmen zum Umgang mit MRT-Zufallsergebnissen etabliert. Damit stellt die Studie eine einzigartige Möglichkeit dar, wesentliche Erkenntnisse im Bereich der bildbasierten Risikostratifizierung zu liefern, was zu einer personalisierten Medizin beiträgt. In Kombination mit den aktuellen Entwicklungen der Computerwissenschaften ergeben sich in dem sich entwickelnden radiologischen Schwerpunkt Radiomics Chancen für die Zukunft. Der vorliegende Artikel gibt einen Überblick über populationsbasierte Bildgebung und Radiomics im Allgemeinen und ordnet in diesen Kontext die Rationale und das Design der MRT-Studie der NAKO ein.

Key words

German National Cohort - population-based imaging - longitudinal cohort study - whole-body magnetic resonance imaging - phenotyping - radiomics

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