The Toward Quantitative Imaging (TQI) group, with representatives from other societies, government agencies, the pharmaceutical industry, device manufacturers, academic radiologists, physicists and radiation oncologists, evolved from discussions in the fall of 2007 related to several areas where RSNA could facilitate the transmission of information, education, and implementation of quantitative imaging into clinical radiology.

The focus of the TQI group is advancing and promoting quantitative imaging and imaging biomarkers as part of the future of radiologic practice. The TQI group developed the following working definition of quantitative imaging:

Quantitative imaging is the extraction of quantifiable features from medical images for the assessment of normal or the severity, degree of change, or status of a disease, injury, or chronic condition relative to normal.  Quantitative imaging includes the development, standardization, and optimization of anatomical, functional, and molecular imaging acquisition protocols, data analyses, display methods, and reporting structures.  These features permit the validation of accurately and precisely obtained image-derived metrics with anatomically and physiologically relevant parameters, including treatment response and outcome, and the use of such metrics in research and patient care.

Part of the multi-pronged effort is educating practicing radiologists about strategies for and the importance of augmenting subjective image interpretation with quantitative measures.  A July 2008 workshop studied the issues, problems and opportunities presented to the RSNA, its leadership and the imaging community as the awareness and utilization of quantitative imaging increases. A list of Action Items developed at the workshop has guided the work of the Toward Quantitative Imaging group.

At the 2009 RSNA Annual Meeting and Scientific Assembly, fifteen industry and academic exhibitors in the Toward Quantitative Imaging: The Reading Room of the Future showcased products that integrate quantitative analysis into the image interpretation process. In this context, quantitative imaging is defined as the extraction of quantifiable features from medical images. Exhibits featured informational posters, computer-based demonstrations and "Meet the Experts" presentations.