Bangkok: The Radiological Society of Thailand, in collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim (Thailand) Co., Ltd., has embarked on a significant initiative to improve the diagnosis of Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), commonly known as pulmonary fibrosis, in Thailand. The organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the ‘Advancing ILD Diagnosis’ project, aiming to develop a tool for enhancing the reporting of High-Resolution CT (HRCT) results and promoting HRCT Structured Report Templates to establish a nationwide diagnostic standard.
According to Thai News Agency, the project targets a more accurate diagnosis of ILD, which is notoriously difficult to identify due to its symptom similarity with other lung diseases. The collaboration has led to the development of the ‘HRCT Checklist and Structured Report Program,’ a digital tool designed to assist radiologists in reporting HRCT results. This initiative, endorsed by the Royal College of Radiologists, seeks to enhance the learning and diagnostic capabilities of radiologists and set new standards for ILD or pulmonary fibrosis care in Thailand.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wiwatana Thanomkiat, President of the Radiological Society of Thailand, highlighted the importance of this collaboration in establishing clear and standardized HRCT reports. This standardization will reduce errors and support interdisciplinary collaboration, leading to improved communication and treatment decisions by physicians and radiologists.
Mr. Ricarte Selvantes Rivera, General Manager of Boehringer Ingelheim (Thailand) Co., Ltd., expressed the company’s pride in partnering with the Radiological Society of Thailand. The collaboration aims to support medical personnel and improve the efficiency of ILD diagnosis, ultimately leading to better treatment outcomes for Thai patients.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chayanin Nitiwarangkun from Ramathibodi Hospital mentioned that the HRCT reporting tool will be accessible via the Royal College of Radiologists’ website, enhancing communication standards between physicians and radiologists. This tool will ensure more accurate reporting, aiding in the interpretation of HRCT images and summarizing results into comprehensive reports.
The project also included a seminar titled “The Role of Radiologists in Improving the Diagnosis of Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Using Standard HRCT Reports.” Experts discussed the challenges of ILD diagnosis and the advantages of this project. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wiwatana Thanomkiat emphasized the underrecognition of ILD, which results from inflammation and shrinkage of the lungs, affecting individuals with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
In Thailand, ILD diagnosis via HRCT has lacked standardization. The partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim aims to rectify this by establishing uniform protocols and collecting reliable disease statistics, which are crucial for treatment planning and policy advocacy. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wiwatana also addressed the role of AI in medicine, underscoring the importance of expert judgment in diagnostic processes.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Warawut Sukkasem, a member of the Royal College of Radiologists of Thailand, commented on the evolving prognosis for ILD patients, highlighting the need for updated radiological knowledge and standardized diagnostic tools to ensure equitable access to treatment across Thailand.
Dr. Lakana Kanchanakul, Head of Medical at Boehringer, explained that ILD results from inflammation and scarring in the lungs, necessitating early diagnosis to aid patient outcomes. The collaboration aims to standardize reading patterns among radiologists, facilitating better understanding and treatment by general practitioners.
Although the current MOU is set for one year, Boehringer plans to develop additional diagnostic tools and distribute them nationwide, fostering greater knowledge among medical professionals.