DSS-oriented exploration of a multi-centre magnetic resonance spectroscopy brain tumour dataset through visualization

The exploration of brain tumours usually requires noninvasive techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS). While radiologists are used to interpreting MRI, many of them are not used to the biochemical information provided by MRS. In this situation, radiologists may benefit from the use of computer-based support for their decisions. As part of the development of a medical Decision Support System (DSS), MRS data corresponding to various tumour pathologies are used to assist expert diagnosis. The high dimensionality of the data might obscure peculiarities and anomalies that would jeopardize automated DSS diagnostic assistance. We illustrate how visualization, combined with expert opinion, can be used to explore data in a process that should improve computer-based tumour classification.