title: Lung image database consortium: developing a resource for the medical imaging research community.
abstract: To stimulate the advancement of computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) research for lung nodules in thoracic computed tomography (CT), the National Cancer Institute launched a cooperative effort known as the Lung Image Database Consortium (LIDC). The LIDC is composed of five academic institutions from across the United States that are working together to develop an image database that will serve as an international research resource for the development, training, and evaluation of CAD methods in the detection of lung nodules on CT scans. Prior to the collection of CT images and associated patient data, the LIDC has been engaged in a consensus process to identify, address, and resolve a host of challenging technical and clinical issues to provide a solid foundation for a scientifically robust database. These issues include the establishment of (a) a governing mission statement, (b) criteria to determine whether a CT scan is eligible for inclusion in the database, (c) an appropriate definition of the term qualifying nodule, (d) an appropriate definition of "truth" requirements, (e) a process model through which the database will be populated, and (f) a statistical framework to guide the application of assessment methods by users of the database. Through a consensus process in which careful planning and proper consideration of fundamental issues have been emphasized, the LIDC database is expected to provide a powerful resource for the medical imaging research community. This article is intended to share with the community the breadth and depth of these key issues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, MC 2026, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. s-armato@uchicago.edu
authors.forename: Samuel G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Armato
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McLennan
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: McNitt-Gray
authors.forename: Charles R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yankelevitz
authors.forename: Denise R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Aberle
authors.forename: Claudia I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Henschke
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: Ella A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Kazerooni
authors.forename: Heber
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: MacMahon
authors.forename: Anthony P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Reeves
authors.forename: Barbara Y
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Croft
authors.forename: Laurence P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed