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DICOM PS3.3 2020a - Information Object Definitions |
The physical units for the real world values obtained from the Sequence Item are given by the Measurement Units Code Sequence (0040,08EA).
The quantity that the real world values represent may be described by the Quantity Definition Sequence (0040,9220), which consists of a list of name-value pairs, in which the coded concept name specifies what aspect of the physical quantity is being described.
Note
1.For example, Relative Regional Blood Flow may be described by units and quantity as follows:
•Measurement Units Code Sequence (0040,08EA) = ({ratio}, UCUM, "ratio")
•Quantity Definition Sequence (0040,9220):
•(246205007, SCT, "Quantity") = (126397, DCM, "Relative Regional Blood Flow")
Additionalinformationabouthowtherelativebloodflowwasderived,e.g.,thereferenceregionused,canalsobeencoded as name-value pairs in the Quantity Definition Sequence (0040,9220). See the example in Annex EEEE “Encoding Diffusion Model Parameters for Parametric Maps and ROI Measurements (Informative)” in PS3.17.
2.For example, the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) may be described by units and quantity as follows:
•Measurement Units Code Sequence (0040,08EA) = (mm2/s, UCUM, "mm2/s")
•Quantity Definition Sequence (0040,9220):
•(246205007, SCT, "Quantity") = (113041, DCM, "Apparent Diffusion Coefficient")
Additional information about how the ADC was derived, e.g., the model used, method of fitting and acquisition b-values used, can also be encoded as name-value pairs in the Quantity Definition Sequence (0040,9220). Other diffusion models and quantities are also defined. See the example in Annex EEEE “Encoding Diffusion Model Parameters for Parametric Maps and ROI Measurements (Informative)” in PS3.17.
The Quantity Definition Sequence (0040,9220) describes only the stored pixel values that are mapped using the Real World Values Mapping, and does not describe derived values from multiple pixels to which the Real World Values Mapping applies.
Note
I.e., the mapping is a "point" operation, and as a consequence various modifiers that might be applied to a group of pixels, such as in an ROI, should not be used. E.g., an ROI encoded in a Structured Report using TID 1419 "ROI Measurements" mightbethemeanormaximumvalue(e.g.,SUVbwmeanorSUVbwmax),andbeencodedwith(121401,DCM,"Derivation") = (373098007, SCT, "Mean") or (56851009, SCT, "Maximum"), respectively. These would not be appropriate to use within Quantity Definition Sequence (0040,9220), unless the individual pixel values were themselves derived in such a manner, e.g., when multiple images are averaged together. Thus the Content Items used in an SR to describe an ROI might be a superset of the name-value pairs used in Quantity Definition Sequence (0040,9220).