Multimodal imaging and computer assisted diagnosis for functional tumour characterisation

Radiological modalities, especially CT, mainly provide morphological and structural information with high spatial resolution covering large volumes. Novel developments, which are predominantly MR-based, also deliver ‘functional’ information, which can be used for individual characterisation of tumour biology. Both aspects and modalities, additionally complemented by ultrasound, have to be combined in the radiological workflow of cancer patients including volumetric visualisation, information extraction from multimodal imaging, quantitative surrogates, intelligent interpretation assistance and image-guided procedures. Based on volumetric visualisation and the generation of 3D +t maps, CAD tools have to address registration of different image series from different modalities, and extraction of quantitative surrogates. The latter will then serve tumour characterisation, therapeutic decision-making, image-guided procedures and efficacy evaluation.