Foreword Imaging is considered as one of the most effective- if not the most effective- in vivo sampling techniques applicable to chronic serious illnesses like cancer. This simple yet comprehensive textbook in medical imaging informatics(Mil) promotes and facili- tates two different areas of innovation: the innovations in technology that improve the field of biomedical informatics itself, and the application of these novel technologies to medicine, thus, improving health. Aside from students in imaging disciplines such as radiological sciences(vs. radiology as a service), this book is also very pertinent to other disciplines such as cardiology and surgery. Faculty and students familiar with this book will come to have their own ideas how to innovate. whether it be in core technologies or in applications to biomedicine Organizationally, the book follows a very sensible structure related to the process of are, which can in principle be summarized in three questions: what is wrong, how serious is it; and what to do? The first question( what is wrong) focuses mostly on diagnosis (i.e, what studies should be obtained). In this way, issues such as individu- ally-tailored image protocol selection are addressed so that the most appropriate and correct study is obtained -as opposed to the traditional sequential studies. For example, a patient with knee pain and difficulty going up stairs or with minor trauma to the knee and evidence of effusion is directly sent for an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) study rather than first going to x-ray, or in a child suspected of having abnormal(or even normal) brain development, MRI studies are recommended rather than traditional insurance-required computed tomography (CT). The role of not only in mproving diagnosis but reducing health costs is highlighted. The second question (how serious is it)relates to how we can standardize and document image findings, on the way to providing truly objective, quantitative assessment from an imaging study as opposed to today's norm of largely qualitative descriptors. Finally, the third question in regard to how we can act upon the information we obtain clinically, from imaging and other sources: how can decisions be made rationally and how can we assess the impact of either research or an intervention? The textbook has been edited by two scientists, an Associate Professor and a Professor in Mll who are both founders of this discipline at our institution. Contributions come from various specialists in medical imaging, informatics, computer science, and bio- statistics. The book is not focused on image acquisition techniques or image process- ing, which are both well-known and described elsewhere in other texts: rather, it focuses on how to extract knowledge and information from imaging studies and related data. The material in this textbook has been simplified eloquently, one of the most difficult tasks by any teacher to simplify difficult material so that it is under- In short, this textbook is highly recommended for students in any discipline dealing with imaging as well as faculty interested in disciplines of medical imaging and informatics Hooshang Kangaroo, MD Professor Emeritus of Radiological Sciences, Pediatrics, and Bioengineering University of California at Los Angelesvii Foreword Imaging is considered as one of the most effective – if not the most effective – in vivo sampling techniques applicable to chronic serious illnesses like cancer. This simple yet comprehensive textbook in medical imaging informatics (MII) promotes and facili￾tates two different areas of innovation: the innovations in technology that improve the field of biomedical informatics itself; and the application of these novel technologies to medicine, thus, improving health. Aside from students in imaging disciplines such as radiological sciences (vs. radiology as a service), this book is also very pertinent to other disciplines such as cardiology and surgery. Faculty and students familiar with this book will come to have their own ideas how to innovate, whether it be in core technologies or in applications to biomedicine. Organizationally, the book follows a very sensible structure related to the process of care, which can in principle be summarized in three questions: what is wrong; how serious is it; and what to do? The first question (what is wrong) focuses mostly on diagnosis (i.e., what studies should be obtained). In this way, issues such as individu￾ally-tailored image protocol selection are addressed so that the most appropriate and correct study is obtained – as opposed to the traditional sequential studies. For example, a patient with knee pain and difficulty going up stairs or with minor trauma to the knee and evidence of effusion is directly sent for an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) study rather than first going to x-ray; or in a child suspected of having abnormal (or even normal) brain development, MRI studies are recommended rather than traditional insurance-required computed tomography (CT). The role of imaging, not only in improving diagnosis but reducing health costs is highlighted. The second question (how serious is it) relates to how we can standardize and document image findings, on the way to providing truly objective, quantitative assessment from an imaging study as opposed to today’s norm of largely qualitative descriptors. Finally, the third question is in regard to how we can act upon the information we obtain clinically, from imaging and other sources: how can decisions be made rationally and how can we assess the impact of either research or an intervention? The textbook has been edited by two scientists, an Associate Professor and a Professor in MII who are both founders of this discipline at our institution. Contributions come from various specialists in medical imaging, informatics, computer science, and bio￾statistics. The book is not focused on image acquisition techniques or image process￾ing, which are both well-known and described elsewhere in other texts; rather, it focuses on how to extract knowledge and information from imaging studies and related data. The material in this textbook has been simplified eloquently, one of the most difficult tasks by any teacher to simplify difficult material so that it is under￾standable at all levels. In short, this textbook is highly recommended for students in any discipline dealing with imaging as well as faculty interested in disciplines of medical imaging and informatics. Hooshang Kangarloo, MD Professor Emeritus of Radiological Sciences, Pediatrics, and Bioengineering University of California at Los Angeles