The below concept map shows the impact of creating a separate non-tumor lesion domain (which uses the original tumor domain structure) and how it affects modeling:
Example 1: Observed abnormality that's also a lesion, but "non-target" for study intervention, it is not treated and continuously monitored.
A small aneurysm is revealed by the abdomen CT scan. This aneurysm is small and is considered as "non-target" for study intervention even though it can be considered as a lesion, it should still be represented in CV. This includes its initial identification as well as all measurements of this aneurysm.
Example 2: Observed abnormality that's also a lesion and "target" for study intervention
The subject had a chest CT scan.
Example 3: what the data should look like if there isn't a separate non-tumor lesion domain, whether or not the aneurysm is treated with a study intervention - what I have been trying to model all along. Pretend there is no TU/TR.
What goes into TULOC?
After all this, i struggle with what values should go into TULOC. When a CT scans the chest, it produces cross-sectional images of the chest/thorax and everything in it. You can view the images in three angles: a) axial view (you are looking at the picture of the thorax from the direction of head to toe), b) the coronal view (you are looking at the images of the thorax as if you are standing in front of the person), c) sagittal view (you are looking at the picture of the thorax from the side). Hence TULOCs are populated with Thoracic Region and Abdominal Region for now. Especially in the axial view, as you move from cross-sectional images of the thorax to images of the abdomen, you are looking at sectioned images of the thoracic region to abdominal region, there is no mistake about which region you are looking at because the anatomy of both regions are so different and clearly sperpated. I think it is not wrong to populate TULOC with chest and abdomen as well, they are just not the most precise anatomical terms.
Questions and Thoughts
Imaging modality for the CV-imaging project:
Coronary angiography:
- Done on the chest area, the probe rotates around the chest of the subject, but there is no such a thing as "chest Coronary angiography", it is simply called Coronary angiography.
- Creates images of the entire coronary artery system.
- We don't record PRLOC = chest for this procedure
Thransthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE):
- Done on the chest and upper abdominal wall. The transducer is placed on various parts of the chest and upper belly to create ultrasonic views different views of the heart. Again, there is no such a thing as chest TTE.
- Creates images of the heart.
- We don't record PRLOC = Chest and upper abdomen for this procedure
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE):
- Transducer is inserted into the Esophagus.
- Creates images of the heart.
- We don't record PRLOC = Esophagus
Cine Angiography:
- Done on the chest, again the probe is placed on top of the chest.
- Creates images of the entire coronary artery system.
In addition, i just recently took a family member to have a Thyroid Ultrasound:
- The ultrasound probe moved around her neck
- Creates images of the thyroid gland. In this case would you argue that PRLOC is thyroid or neck?
Referring to Richard M's email:
LOC in the interventions class is "Anatomical focus of an intervention - at which part of the body an intervention is being made". This also my understanding as well.
- The "injection" intervention has an anatomical focus - the anatomical site of injection.
- Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (also known as angioplasty with stent), has an anatomical location where the procedure occurs, intervenes and alters the abnormal structure of the location - i.e. in the RIGHT POSTERIOR DESCENDING ARTERY (PRLOC), the angioplasty breaks up the blockage and inserts a stent.
- Brachytherapy places radioactive material inside a location of the body to kill cancer cells, e.g. prostate. The procedure occurs, intervenes and alters the abnormal structure of the location.
It is easy to pinpoint a location for invasive/treatment type interventions and this aligns with my understanding of how PRLOC should be used.
However, for "diagnostic imaging" procedures, where the imaging probe is placed (i.e. neck, chest, abdomen, head, etc.), Is this really the location where a intervention is "made"?