Comparing dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion post-processing with different clinically available software among patients affected of a high-grade glioma

Contrast‐agent‐based perfusion MRI code repository and testing framework: ISMRM Open Science Initiative for Perfusion Imaging (OSIPI)

“…Image analysis software is increasingly recognized as a major determinant of the reliability and reproducibility of quantitative perfusion MRI parameters: several studies demonstrate substantial variation in results dependent on the software used to process DCE-or DSC-MRI data. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Researchers commonly develop or re-use in-house code due to the specialized nature of the processing or because existing available solutions are limited, unvalidated or difficult to use. However, most scientists are self-taught programmers 18,19 untrained in state-of-the art software development practices such as version control and unit testing, despite growing recognition that software "should be built, checked, and used as carefully as any physical apparatus".…”

“…Initiatives such as the quantitative imaging biomarker alliance (QIBA), 8 and disease‐specific initiatives including in neurodegenerative disease 4 and brain tumor imaging 9,10 have proposed recommendations for increased harmonization of acquisition and analysis in perfusion imaging. Image analysis software is increasingly recognized as a major determinant of the reliability and reproducibility of quantitative perfusion MRI parameters: several studies demonstrate substantial variation in results dependent on the software used to process DCE‐ or DSC‐MRI data 11–17 . Researchers commonly develop or re‐use in‐house code due to the specialized nature of the processing or because existing available solutions are limited, unvalidated or difficult to use.…”