Proposal for standardized image acquisition protocol templates as supplement for new manuscripts

We would like to propose a standardized approach for documenting image acquisition protocols to enhance the reproducibility of research findings.

Below are two comprehensive template documents for computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition protocols, designed by experienced radiologists and researchers. We would like to ask you to make these templates mandatory as supplements for manuscripts on clinical studies where relevant. Suggestions for any additional information to the templates would be highly welcome.

There are three arguments for such supplements: (i) continuously growing complexity: radiology's rapid advancement has led to sophisticated technical environments for studies, but a lack of comprehensive guidance on documenting protocols has resulted in heterogeneity and inconsistency in reporting, hindering reproducibility; (ii) machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) research: machine learning and AI in radiology require precise documentation of image acquisition protocols. Standardization ensures reproducibility and robustness for AI-based diagnostic and prognostic tools; and (iii) regulatory and retrospective data analysis needs: increased regulatory demands and retrospective data analysis require streamlined processes for complex protocols, improving research data quality and efficiency.

By embracing such standardized templates, we fortify the scientific integrity of our field, encourage collaboration, and pave the way for advancements in radiology research. Papers with such a supplement might also be more frequently referenced.

The two templates for CT and one for MRI are below.

We hope this sparks a fruitful discussion within your readership.

CT acquisition protocol

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General parameters
Body region	Name	Please name the body region that was imaged (e.g. head, cardiac, abdomen)
Indication	Name	Please comment on the indication for imaging
Scanner	Name	Name of the vendor and specific type
Single- or dual-source CT scanner	Name	Mention if the scanner is single- or dual-source CT
Rotation time	ms	Mention the gantry revolution time
Coverage (cm)	cm	The coverage in centimeters during the CT exam
Tube voltage	kV	Voltage applied to the X-ray tube (lower and upper bounds if automated tube voltage selection was used)
Reconstruction type	Name	Method for image reconstruction (i.e. filtered back projection, iterative, AI)
Image acquisition phases	Name	Acquisition intervals/specific phases (e.g. arterial phase, venous phase, delayed phase)
Contrast medium type	Name	The specific contrast medium (e.g. iopamidol, iohexol, ioxilan, or iopromide)
Concentration	mg/mL	The concentration of the contrast medium, for CT contrast agents
Contrast average volume	mL	The total volume on average
Average dosing factor	gI/kg	The dose of iodine that was injected per kg body weight
Injector	Name	Name of the vendor and specific type

CT angiography – additional parameters	Unit	Description
Injection rate/flow rate	mL/s	The speed at which the contrast medium is injected
Preferred injection site	Name	The specific anatomical location for most injections (e.g. antecubital fossa or peripheral vein)
Type of trigger	Name	How was the start of the image acquisition process triggered (i.e. fixed/individual delay, bolus trigger)
Region of interest (ROI)	Name	Where the ROI is placed, e.g aorta pr pulmonary artery
Average timing/delay	s	The time interval between the injection and the start of image acquisition
Tube current	mA	Intensity of the X-ray beam (reference value for automated tube voltage selection: quality reference tube current-time product [mAs])
Total scan time	s	Time interval for the full scan

CT perfusion – additional parameters	Unit	Description
Tube voltage	kV	Voltage applied to the X-ray tube (lower and upper bounds if automated tube voltage selection was used)
Tube current	mA	Intensity of the X-ray beam (reference value for automated tube voltage selection: quality reference tube current-time product [mAs])
Contrast average volume	mL	The total volume on average
Average dosing factor	gI/kg	The dose of iodine that was injected per kg body weight
Injection rate/flow rate	mL/s	The speed at which the contrast medium is injected
Preferred injection site	Name	The specific anatomical location for most injections (e.g. antecubital fossa or peripheral vein)
Type of trigger	Name	How was the start of the image acquisition process triggered (i.e. fixed/individual delay, bolus trigger)
Average timing/delay	s	The time interval between the injection and the start of image acquisition
Total scan time	s	Time interval for the full scan
No. of images		Number of images measured per time
Image frequency	1/s	Frequency of image acquisition

Spectral imaging – additional parameters	Unit	Description
Energy thresholds	kV	Used energy thresholds for image reconstruction
Postprocessing	Name	Type of postprocessing (e.g. monochromatic images, virtual unenhanced images)

MRI acquisition protocol

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General parameters
Body region	Name	Please name the body region that was imaged (e.g. head, cardiac, breast)
Indication	Name	Please comment on the indication for imaging (e.g. stroke, coronary artery disease, carcinoma)
Scanner	Name	Name of the vendor and specific type
Gradient strength	mT/m	Mention the gradient strength of the scanner
Rise time	mT/m/ms	Indicate the rise time
Slew rate	mT/m/ms	Please indicate the slew rate
Used sequence type, weighting, orientation, repetition time (TR), echo time (TE), and flip angle (FA), image matrix size	Name	Used sequence with regard to type (e.g. turbo spin echo [TSE], gradient echo [GRE]), weighting (e.g. T1, T2, diffusion-weighted imaging [DWI]), orientation (e.g. transversal, sagittal), TR, TE, and FA
Image acquisition phases	Name	Acquisition intervals/specific phases (e.g. arterial phase, venous phase, delayed phase)
Contrast medium type	Name	The specific contrast medium (e.g. gadoterate, gadobutrol, gadoteridol)
Contrast average volume	mL	The total volume on average
Injection technique	Name	The technique used for the injection (i.e. power injector [name of the vendor and specific type] or manually)

MR angiography – additional parameters	Unit	Description
Used sequence type, weighting, orientation, TR, TE, and FA	Name	Used sequence with regard to type (e.g. TSE, GRE), weighting (e.g. T1, T2, DWI), orientation (e.g. transversal, sagittal), TR, TE, and FA
Injection rate/flow rate	mL/s	The speed at which the contrast medium is injected
Preferred injection site	Name	The specific anatomical location for most injections (e.g. antecubital fossa or peripheral vein).
Type of trigger	Name	How was the start of the image acquisition process triggered (i.e. manual, fixed/individual delay, bolus trigger)
Average timing/delay	s	The timing parameters related to the acquisition of images after the contrast injection, including the scan delay or the time interval between the injection and the start of image acquisition
Total scan time	s	Time interval for the full scan

Perfusion MRI – additional parameters	Unit	Description
Used sequence type, weighting, orientation, TR, TE, and FA	Name	Used sequence with regard to type (e.g. TSE, GRE), weighting (e.g., T1, T2, DWI), orientation (e.g. transversal, sagittal), TR, TE, and FA
Contrast medium type	Name	The specific contrast medium (e.g. gadoterate, gadobutrol, gadoteridol)
Contrast average volume	mL	The total volume on average
Injection rate/flow rate	mL/s	The speed at which the contrast medium is injected
Preferred injection site	Name	The specific anatomical location for most injections (e.g. antecubital fossa or peripheral vein)
Type of trigger	Name	How was the start of the image acquisition process triggered (i.e. manual, fixed/individual delay, bolus trigger)
Average timing/delay	s	The timing parameters related to the acquisition of images after the contrast injection, including the scan delay or the time interval between the injection and the start of image acquisition
Total scan time	s	Time interval for the full scan
No. of images		Number of images measured per time
Image frequency	1/s	Frequency of image acquisition