Repeatability and reproducibility study of radiomic features on a phantom and human cohort

Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 21;11(1):2055. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-81526-8.

Abstract

The repeatability and reproducibility of radiomic features extracted from CT scans need to be investigated to evaluate the temporal stability of imaging features with respect to a controlled scenario (test-retest), as well as their dependence on acquisition parameters such as slice thickness, or tube current. Only robust and stable features should be used in prognostication/prediction models to improve generalizability across multiple institutions. In this study, we investigated the repeatability and reproducibility of radiomic features with respect to three different scanners, variable slice thickness, tube current, and use of intravenous (IV) contrast medium, combining phantom studies and human subjects with non-small cell lung cancer. In all, half of the radiomic features showed good repeatability (ICC > 0.9) independent of scanner model. Within acquisition protocols, changes in slice thickness was associated with poorer reproducibility compared to the use of IV contrast. Broad feature classes exhibit different behaviors, with only few features appearing to be the most stable. 108 features presented both good repeatability and reproducibility in all the experiments, most of them being wavelet and Laplacian of Gaussian features.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Computer Simulation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Machine Learning*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / standards
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phantoms, Imaging / standards
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*