CT texture analysis challenges: Influence of acquisition and reconstruction parameters: A comprehensive review

Texture analysis in medical imaging is a promising tool that is designed to improve the characterization of abnormal images from patients, to ultimately serve as a predictive or prognostic biomarker. However, the nature of image acquisition itself implies variability in each pixel/voxel value that could jeopardize the usefulness of texture analysis in the medical field. In this review, a search was performed to identify current published data for computed tomography (CT) texture reproducibility and variability. On the basis of this analysis, the critical steps were identified with a view of using texture analysis as a reliable tool in medical imaging. The need to specify the CT scanners used and the associated parameters in published studies is highlighted. Harmonizing acquisition parameters between studies is a crucial step for future texture analysis.