PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Fanny Orlhac
AU  - Jakoba J Eertink
AU  - Anne-Segolene Cottereau
AU  - Josee M. Zijlstra
AU  - Catherine Thieblemont
AU  - Michel A. Meignan
AU  - Ronald Boellaard
AU  - Irene Buvat
TI  - A guide to ComBat harmonization of imaging biomarkers in multicenter studies
AID  - 10.2967/jnumed.121.262464
DP  - 2021 Sep 01
TA  - Journal of Nuclear Medicine
PG  - jnumed.121.262464
4099  - http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/early/2021/09/15/jnumed.121.262464.short
4100  - http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/early/2021/09/15/jnumed.121.262464.full
AB  - The impact of PET image acquisition and reconstruction parameters on SUV measurements or radiomic feature values is widely documented. This "scanner" effect is detrimental to the design and validation of predictive or prognostic models and limits the use of large multicenter cohorts. To reduce the impact of this scanner effect, the ComBat method has been proposed and is now used in various contexts. The purpose of this article is to explain and illustrate the use of ComBat based on practical examples. We also give examples in which the ComBat assumptions are not met; thus, ComBat should not be used.