RSNA Launches First MRI AI Challenge

The Radiology Society of North America (RSNA), along with the American Society of Neuroradiology and the Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Interventions Society, announced the launch of the 10th annual Brain Tumor Segmentation (BraTS) challenge on Wednesday.

This year’s challenge will be somewhat different, according to RSNA officials.

“RSNA has significantly ‘upped their game’ with this year’s Brain Tumor Classification Challenge,” said Adam E. Flanders, M.D., a member of the RSNA Machine Learning Subcommittee. “It is our first [Artificial Intelligence] Challenge to use MRI, and it is also our first to address an oncology problem – brain cancer.”

This year’s challenge focuses on brain tumor detection and classification using multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) scans. In a novel move, the challenge also asks participants to address two clinically relevant tasks:

• Develop the most accurate automated method for measuring the size of the visual components of a cancer, affecting the ability to precisely track growth or treatment response.
• Develop a reliable non-invasive method using MR images alone that can predict the presence of specific genetic tumor features.

“These genetic markers are indicators of treatment response and survival,” Flanders said. “This has potential use in planning for customized therapies even before surgery is performed.”

The challenge involves two tasks, and participants can opt to compete in one or both.

For Brain Tumor Segmentation, participants will be asked to build models that can produce detailed segmentations of sub-regions of the brain tumor that correspond to those created by neuroradiologists. These segmentations could potentially improve computer-assisted surgery, radiotherapy guidance, and disease-progression monitoring.

For Brain Tumor Radiogenomic Classification, participants will use mpMRI imaging to build models that can predict MGMT (O[6]-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase) promoter methylation status. It is possible these models could make diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning for patients with glioblastoma more efficient and accurate.

All final model challenge submissions are due Oct. 12. Winners will be announced on Nov. 23 and will be recognized during an event held in the AI Showcase Theater at RSNA 2021 on Nov. 29. Intel, NeoSoma, and RSNA are provided the prize money for the top entries.

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