Biomarkers and Radiomic Features in Medical Imaging of Head and Neck Diseases

Medical Imaging is a cornerstone of all clinical management processes. In recent years, imaging technologies have become increasingly sophisticated; while technological advances improve the potential of these tools, they paradoxically distance them from clinical application. Currently, the main clinical problem in image analysis is no longer the detection of abnormalities, but the discrimination among transient inflammatory abnormalities, benign lesions, and lesions with management-relevant invasive potential.From medical images, it is possible to extract and collect a wide range of data, such as biomarkers or radiomics parameters, for the early diagnosis of pathologies, disease staging, and treatment efficacy monitoring, but the usefulness of most of them is unknown.The following step is to analyze their potential clinical applications in aiding image interpretation, and using complex information networks to provide useful clinical information is an important challenge related to biomarkers and radiomic features. The head and neck are considered one of the most complex regions due to their relatively small size and the numerous anatomical structures packed into very small spaces. Furthermore, pathologies affecting this region can compromise functions that impact quality of life, even if they are not necessarily considered malignant.Biomarkers, including radiomics parameters, have been proposed for the analysis of head and neck medical images to assess whether they can play a role in the interpretation of these images and in the validation of novel diagnostic approaches.Radiomics development and application in the head and neck region represent an emerging field, and its purpose is to improve predictive and prognostic models to enable personalized treatments.The usefulness of radiomics in the context of head and neck imaging is evident, given the exponential development of these technologies in medical imaging. Even if there are still a few obstacles to their widespread use in clinical practice, it is clear that they have the potential to be revolutionary.This Research Topic welcomes original research articles, case reports, reviews, mini-reviews, and meta-analyses that aim to provide new insights and explore the most recent advances in medical imaging biomarkers and radiomic features for head and neck diseases.This Topic will aim to cover the latest research trends and achievements in disease biomarker discovery, their validation, and developments in their clinical applications. Multidisciplinary approaches to the discovery, analysis, validation, and application of biomarker and radiomic features can bridge the gap between basic scientific discoveries and clinical utility. For this reason, this Research Topic welcomes the highest-quality research related to the diagnosis of head and neck diseases across all medical specialties, in particular: radiology, nuclear medicine, otorhinolaryngology, dentistry, dermatology, and surgery. Topic editors: Corinna Altini, Andrea Palermo Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85578/biomarkers-and-radiomic-features-in-medical-imaging-of-head-and-neck-diseases