Remote Breast Ultrasound Image Interpretation System for Multicenter Study (jabts Bc04 Study)

As interpretation of ultrasound images is often subjective, multicenter studies are conducted to collect more objective data. Centralized image interpretation by ultrasound experts is important to enhance the credibility of diagnosis in multicenter studies. However, it is difficult to control the influence of the interpretation, on the reviewers in a face-to-face meeting. Also, interpreters have a limited amount of time as they perform the study tasks between daily medical practices. To solve these problems, we developed a remote interpretation system for multicenter studies in which multiple assessors could perform the interpretation and discuss the results with each other. The system was introduced for the investigator-initiated multicenter study in Japan (JABTS BC04). We, Data Manager set up the system for each interpreter, and the imaging data were randomly allocated to several pairs of image interpreters. First, each interpreter individually evaluated the images on their site and submitted the results to the Data Center cloud. Secondly, we compared the results of each paired interpreters and gave feedback through the internet to them. The interpreters checked the results of their own partner and reconsidered the interpretation results, and submitted the final decision as a pair to the Data Center again. Independent evaluation was kept systematically. Also, interpreters could perform their tasks when they had time. This reduced time and cost of conducting the Centralized image interpretation. The remote interpretation system is helpful to perform ultrasound multicenter studies.