Artificial Intelligence for Vestibular Schwannoma (AIVeS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An observational (pilot) study to assess the feasibility of using artificial intelligence solutions in the management of vestibular schwannoma
IRAS ID
278685
Contact name
Tom Vercauteren
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Management and Administration, King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 2 days
Research summary
Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a non-cancerous tumour arising from one of the balance nerves. In the UK, 1600 new patients being diagnosed every year and at current rates, 1 per 1000 individuals will be diagnosed with a VS in their lifetime. VS may also occur with the genetic condition Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) and may be associated with other brain tumours.
The widespread availability of diagnostic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has notably resulted in a greater number of patients with small tumours and no symptoms being diagnosed with VS. For smaller tumours, observation with lifelong imaging is often advised but patients who undergo treatment also require a prolonged period of surveillance thereafter. Close tumour surveillance is mandated in patients with NF2.
This research aims to utilise our extensive experience to develop an automated computer-assisted process for calculating tumour volume so that it can be used in all hospitals irrespective of the MRI system or software used. We will develop novel imaging markers (MR biomarkers) to predict which tumours are likely to grow, enabling clinicians to tailor a patient’s surveillance programme to their tumour. As such, this research could help bring significant savings to the NHS by safely reducing the number of scans performed.
We will use a dataset of scans from 300 patients to train and test our computer algorithms to calculate tumour volume. We will also review the behaviour of these tumour over time to determine which MR biomarkers are most accurate at predicting tumour growth.
This study will not affect patient treatment. All patients will have had their imaging and a decision regarding their management will have been made in the usual manner. All data will be obtained from medical imaging and clinical records systems at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital and King’s College Hospital, NHS Foundation Trusts.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0991
Date of REC Opinion
28 Aug 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion