Siemens Medical Solutions has announced the upcoming release of a new software application for the syngo imaging platform. The latest arrival, called syngo CT oncology, provides automated tools for tumor assessment, particularly in lung, liver and lymph nodes. It comprises a set of “autopilot” functions that automatically evaluate image data, offline as soon as they are available. In particular, the software scans images for potential lesions, carries out automatic lesion matching between initial and follow-up studies for a single patient, and calculates tumor volume and percent change in volume (tumor growth). These functions are designed to save radiologists time and reduce inter-reader variability.

This newest software is expected to be available in September 2007, pending 510(k) review in the USA. The software has been tested in Germany, at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, on both enlarged lymph nodes (1) and lung nodules associated with malignant melanoma (2).

syngo CT oncology is the latest addition to Siemens' package of 18 applications for CT image analysis, all of which fit into Siemens' basic imaging platform, syngo, for Windows operating systems. The platform, which provides basic functionality for diagnostic image analysis, can be integrated with a number of specific applications for image analysis, not only in CT but also in MRI, plain radiography, molecular imaging and radiation therapy. syngo adheres to the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

References

1. McKenna LA (2007) New:  syngo CT Oncology.  Somatom Sessions 20:36-37 [www.medical.siemens.com]
2. Kuttner A, Aplas A (2007) Improved evaluation and follow-up of routine diagnostic oncology exams with syngo CT oncology. Somatom Sessions 20:38-39 [www.medical.siemens.com]