Development of a hepatocellular carcinoma imaging database and structured imaging reports based on PACS, HIS, and repository

PURPOSE: To establish a hepatocellular carcinoma imaging database and structured imaging reports based on PACS, HIS, and repository. METHODS: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. The steps of establishing the database are as follows: 1) According to the standards required for the intelligent diagnosis of HCC, it was attempted to design the corresponding functional modules after analyzing the requirements; 2) Based on client/server (C/S) mode, 3-tier architecture model was adopted. A user interface (UI) could receive data entered by users and show handled data. Business logic layer (BLL) could process the business logic of the data, and data access layer (DAL) could save the data in the database. The storage and management of HCC imaging data could be realized by the SQLSERVER database management software, and Delphi and VC++ programming languages were used. RESULTS: The test results showed that the proposed database could swiftly obtain the pathological, clinical, and imaging data of HCC from the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) and hospital information system (HIS), and perform data storage and visualization of structured imaging reports. According to the HCC imaging data, liver imaging reporting and data system (LI-RADS) assessment, standardized staging, and intelligent imaging analysis were carried out on the high-risk population to establish a one-stop imaging evaluation platform for HCC, strongly supporting clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. CONCLUSIONS: The establishment of a HCC imaging database can not only provide a huge amount of imaging data for the basic and clinical research on HCC, but also facilitate the scientific management and quantitative assessment of HCC. Besides, a HCC imaging database is advantageous for personalized treatment and follow-up of HCC patients.