CTSC Brad Dickerson, MGH

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Mission

See http://www.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/~bradd/research.html

Use-Case Goals

The first two steps in this use-case include Basic Data Management and Query Formulation.

• Step 1: Data Management Describe and upload retrospective OFRR1 datasets (roughly 1 terabyte) and confirm appropriate organization and naming scheme via web GUI.
• Step 2: Query Formulation
  • make specific queries using XNAT web services,
  • ensure that query results match those returned by analogous searches on the local file system.

Outcome Metrics

Step 1.

Step 2.

Step 3.

Participants

• sites involved: MGH NMR center
• number of users: >10
• PI: Brad Dickerson
• staff: Akram Bakkour (Study coordinator/MRI technician/Lab manager)
• clinicians
• IT staff: NMR could provide IT support

Data

The Dickerson lab has about 250 scans for their own studies, and 150 scans for collaborators. Scans include both MRI and fMRI. Other data are stored with Excel spreadsheets.

• • Project
  • Imaging Modalities
  • Genetic

• Storage needs

Images files are currently scattered over several file servers on the same network.

Workflows

Current Data Management Process

DICOM files are transferred from the scanners (PACS?) to a local DICOM Server, and then copied to lab machines Images are processed with FreeSurfer.

• • Other software to be integrated (e.g., Osirix)
  • other features

Other Information

There have been at least two serious attempts using XNAT, working with XNAT support group (NRG) at Harvard. An XNAT with customized schema was developed by Eli White a couple of years ago on Dory at NMR.

The lab recognizes the need for an XNAT-based system to manage images and other data.