Informatics

Ontology-based Image Navigation: Exploring 3.0-T MR Neurography of the Brachial Plexus Using AIM and RadLex

Published Online:Jan 15 2015https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.351130072

Abstract

An interactive 3.0-T MR neurographic imaging atlas is described that combines AIM image annotations, the RadLex radiology ontology, and Web technologies to allow users to explore the imaging anatomy of the brachial plexus.

Disorders of the peripheral nervous system have traditionally been evaluated using clinical history, physical examination, and electrodiagnostic testing. In selected cases, imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance (MR) neurography may help further localize or characterize abnormalities associated with peripheral neuropathies, and the clinical importance of such techniques is increasing. However, MR image interpretation with respect to peripheral nerve anatomy and disease often presents a diagnostic challenge because the relevant knowledge base remains relatively specialized. Using the radiology knowledge resource RadLex®, a series of RadLex queries, the Annotation and Image Markup standard for image annotation, and a Web services–based software architecture, the authors developed an application that allows ontology-assisted image navigation. The application provides an image browsing interface, allowing users to visually inspect the imaging appearance of anatomic structures. By interacting directly with the images, users can access additional structure-related information that is derived from RadLex (eg, muscle innervation, muscle attachment sites). These data also serve as conceptual links to navigate from one portion of the imaging atlas to another. With 3.0-T MR neurography of the brachial plexus as the initial area of interest, the resulting application provides support to radiologists in the image interpretation process by allowing efficient exploration of the MR imaging appearance of relevant nerve segments, muscles, bone structures, vascular landmarks, anatomic spaces, and entrapment sites, and the investigation of neuromuscular relationships.

^©RSNA, 2015

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Article History

Received: Sept 2 2013
Revision requested: Dec 18 2013
Revision received: July 11 2014
Accepted: July 11 2014
Published online: Jan 15 2015
Published in print: Jan 2015

Vol. 35, No. 1

Abbreviations

Abbreviations:
AIM	Annotation and Image Markup
DICOM	Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine
FMA	Foundational Model of Anatomy
SPACE	sampling perfection with application optimized contrasts by using different flip angle evolutions
WADO	Web Access to DICOM Persistent Objects
XML	Extensible Markup Language

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