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Computer-aided detection for the identification of pulmonary nodules in pediatric oncology patients: initial experience

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Abstract

Background

Computer-aided detection (CAD) has been shown to increase the sensitivity for detection of pulmonary nodules in adults. This study reports initial findings utilizing a CAD system for the detection of pediatric pulmonary nodules.

Objective

To assess the performance of CAD and pediatric radiologists in the detection of pediatric pulmonary nodules.

Materials and methods

CT scans from a series of pediatric patients with known primary tumors and lung nodules were analyzed by four radiologists and a commercially available CAD system. IRB approval was obtained. Sensitivities were calculated for detection according to nodule size and location.

Results

In 24 children (age 3–18 years) 173 nodules were identified. Overall the sensitivity of CAD was 34%, but the sensitivity of CAD for detection of nodules 4.0 mm or larger was 80%. Overall radiologist sensitivity ranged from 68% to 79%. There were 0.9 CAD false-positives and 0.3–2.4 radiologist false-positives per study.

Conclusion

CAD in our pediatric oncology patients had good sensitivity for detection of lung nodules 4 mm and larger with a low number of false-positives. However, the sensitivity was considerably less for nodules smaller than 4 mm.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Churchill Hospital, Old Rd., Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LJ, UK

    Emma J. Helm

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 208042, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8020, USA

    Cicero T. Silva

  3. Department of Medical Imaging, Women’s College Hospital, Rm W2 72, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1B2, Canada

    Heidi C. Roberts

  4. Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, Canada, M5G 1X8

    David Manson, Mike T. M. Seed, Joao G. Amaral & Paul S. Babyn

Authors
  1. Emma J. Helm
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  2. Cicero T. Silva
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  3. Heidi C. Roberts
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  4. David Manson
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  5. Mike T. M. Seed
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  6. Joao G. Amaral
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  7. Paul S. Babyn
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Correspondence to Emma J. Helm.

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Helm, E.J., Silva, C.T., Roberts, H.C. et al. Computer-aided detection for the identification of pulmonary nodules in pediatric oncology patients: initial experience. Pediatr Radiol 39, 685–693 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-009-1259-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-009-1259-9

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