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Imaging biomarkers define objective characteristics extracted from medical images that are related to normal biological processes, diseases, or the response to treatment. To develop an imaging biomarker, it is necessary to carry out a series of steps to validate its relation with the reality studied and to check its clinical and technical validity. This process includes defining tests for the concepts and mechanisms; obtaining standardized and optimized anatomic, functional, and molecular images; analyzing the data with computer models; displaying data appropriately; obtaining the appropriate statistic measures; and conducting tests on the principle, efficacy, and effectiveness. In this article, we aim to explain the steps that must be established to enable biomarkers to be correctly applied, from their theoretical conception to their clinical implementation. To this end, we use the evaluation of angiogenesis in articular cartilage as an example., (Copyright © 2010 SERAM. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

The introduction of positron emission tomography (PET) into the management of neoplastic disease in respiratory patients signified an important change from classic algorithms based exclusively on anatomic information obtained through computed tomography (CT). Non-small cell lung cancer and solitary pulmonary nodule were the 2 diseases in which metabolic PET imaging offered the highest diagnostic yield, as has been evident since the inclusion of this technology among the services available within the Spanish national health service. However, a number of limitations were encountered in relation to the lack of anatomic definition in PET imaging, as had been described in the literature. The appearance in 2001 of hybrid PET-CT devices has not only helped remedy those defects, but has also made it possible to combine anatomic and metabolic information in a single image, making this hybrid technology the most valuable tool in the current diagnostic arsenal.

Objective: To evaluate an arterial Hypertension programme (AHP), with analysis of its feasibility and the problems inherent in the methodology used., Design: A retrospective evaluation of the results of an AHP programme. A population projection of the results by means of an extrapolated calculation., Setting: An urban Health Centre., Patients: A random sample of 282 patients selected from the total of 564 individuals diagnosed with AHT over the 6 years of the programme's operation., Measurements and Main Results: The 564 patients in the records made up 16.5% of the Health Area's adult population. The iceberg phenomenon (the percentage of undiagnosed hypertension sufferers) has evolved from 59% in 1988 to the present 17%. 7.4% of the sample received no treatment. Average AHT figures for the patients in treatment were 143 +/- 15 mm Hg systolic pressure and 85 +/- 9 mm Hg diastolic. 75% had adequate control of their tension figures (< 160/95). The population projection of these findings indicated that 57% of Hypertension sufferers calculated to be living in the Health area were diagnosed and monitored., Conclusions: The results show that the AHT situation among the population has substantially improved. The methodology used is easy to manage and can be of service in the evaluation of the impact of AHT programmes on the population.