Dr. Ilker Hacihaliloglu
Dr. Ilker Hacihaliloglu is playing an active role in being a first to test image-to-image synthesizing technology, by researching whether MRIs can be generated by ultrasound scans of prostate cancer.
With the influx of artificial intelligence algorithms’ ability to produce complex images, this possibility is more feasible than ever. To determine the accuracy and extent of the image synthesizing technology, researchers input imagistic patient scans across thousands of patients. Then, the technology is trained, using images of certain types of cancer, to recognize disease characteristics. With more data input, the technology refines its accuracy, speed, and ability to transform one ultrasound into an MRI or other medical diagnostic image.
This technology was put to the test when Dr. Hacihaliloglu and his highly-qualified researchers evaluated both synthetic MRI images (made by the input of 794 ultrasound scans of prostate cancer), and real MRIs. They found an 85% similarity of the synthesized scans to the real scans. The synthesized images missed too many clinical features to be used at this time. With more advanced research and technology however, perhaps this is a viable possibility in the future.
In the article, Dr. Hacihaliloglu describes how this has tremendous impacts on patient care. By reducing the need for an MRI (scans which are very expensive and of high-demand), this technology could provide high-quality images needs for clinical use, while decrease the wait-times or need for certain MRIs and the travel often associated with obtaining one. Ultrasounds are non-radiating, and are cheaper, smaller, and more accessible, in comparison to MRIs, CTs, and X-rays.
Dr. Hacihaliloglu isn’t the only researcher in the ATM Community currently involved in exciting novel imaging research, with Dr. Shannon Kolind’s recent research examining the feasibility of portable MRIs. The ATM looks forward to seeing this exciting research progress.
For the full article highlighting this work by Dr. Ilker Hacihaliloglu, please click here.
For information on Dr. Shannon Kolind’s work with portable MRIs, please click here.