Definiens has launched version 2.0 of its LymphExpert software, a software application that assists radiology professionals in the identification, analysis and evaluation of lymph nodes in CT images over time.
Lymph nodes play a critical role in the assessment of cancer progression and the staging of therapy control. The earlier the metastatic spread of cancer can be detected, the higher the chances are for successful treatment. Currently, RECIST 1.1 is the most established standard for evaluating patient responses to treatment. Under RECIST, the diameter of a tumour is measured to provide a two-dimensional representation. However, tumours do not always expand or contract uniformly and changes in diameter do not necessarily provide a complete picture of tumour growth.
LymphExpert automatically segments lymph nodes and analyses their properties according to RECIST and WHO criteria. In addition, the software is able to reliably quantify the volume of lymph nodes and volumetric changes over time, providing a more complete picture of node size and growth. Accurate and detailed analysis of node volume may allow radiologists to detect metastasising cancer earlier and more readily evaluate the efficacy of treatment protocols. The software promotes the development of personalised treatments, reducing costs and avoiding unnecessary procedures for better patient outcomes.
Version 2.0 provides accurate and reproducible results. It reduces inter- and intra-reader variability in the assessment of CT images, enabling clinicians to work more efficiently. The software allows users to conduct side-by-side comparisons of images taken at different stages of lymph node development, accurately tracking a cancer's progression or remission. Data can be imported from a wide variety of imaging acquisition devices, making it applicable to radiologists working in hospitals, cancer centres, CROs, pharmaceutical companies, teleradiology service providers and academic institutions. Additionally, LymphExpert 2.0 incorporates a thin client architecture that gives radiologists remote access to image data and analysis tools from any workstation at any time. Image analysis results can thereby be obtained faster and at a lower cost.
