A multi-user networked database for analysis of clinical and temperature data from patients treated with simultaneous radiation and ultrasound hyperthermia

Abstract

A database was developed using commercially available development software that allows the entry of clinical data and automatically analyses temperature and power data from a commercial ultrasound hyperthermia system. The database can be accessed via network connections by more than one authorized user, thus facilitating the entry, management, and analysis of clinical data. The software automatically estimates ultrasound induced temperature artifacts and calculates thermal dose parameters such as T90s, equivalent minutes at 43°, and time at or above index temperatures using the corrected temperatures. These parameters also become part of the database. Digital photographs of treatment setup, probe placement, and tumour or normal tissue response can be included in the database for documentation and reference. Ultrasound diagnostic images that document the depth and reproducibility of probe placement can be scanned into the PC and included in the database as well. This short communication documents experiences developing this tool that may be useful to other investigators.