Role of the Radiology Core Laboratory

The LTRC Radiology Core Laboratory (RCL) will coordinate the collection and distribution of CT scans of lung that may be diagnostic of fibrotic and non-fibrotic lung disease.

The role of the RCL is to:

1) Collect, quantitatively assess, qualitatively assess and store CT scans sent to the RCL from the LTRC Clinical Centers,

2) Distribute the CT scan DVDs to Investigators based on NHLBI approval,

3) Transmit quantitative and qualitative CT scan data to the Coordinating Center.

The RCL is the repository for all CT scans collected for the LTRC.  They will be responsible for maintaining records on CT scans sent to them by each Clinical Center. These CT scans will be used in future, to-be-determined studies. The CT scans can be collected from three different sources which are described below.

The following types of CT scans are being collected as part of the LTRC:

1. Full Three-Phase LTRC Protocol:  Optimally, a volumetric high-resolution CT scan protocol of the chest will be obtained specifically for research purposes, with three sets of images including supine inspiratory, supine expiratory and prone inspiratory acquisitions,

2. Basic High-Resolution LTRC Protocol: For participants who are unable or unwilling to undergo the Full Three-Phase LTRC Protocol (possibly due to the lack of equipment availability or inability to comply with breath-holding instructions) a High-Resolution CT of the chest with non-contiguous axial images obtained in full inspiration will be obtained, or

3. Historical CT Scan. For participants who cannot or wish not to have an LTRC scan but who have recently undergone a CT of the chest for clinical reasons (within six months) or who will have a clinical scan (in the appropriate DICOM format) before lung tissue is obtained, these images will be accepted by the RCL for evaluation.  These images must be electronic DICOM images from the Clinical Center or from another institution.

Clinical Center staff need obtain only one of the above procedures to obtain CT data for the LTRC.  The LTRC CT scan can be used for medical management, or another CT scan can be collected.

The RCL will make images available to the coordinating center. Click here for details on RCL images.