title: Computer-aided detection of pulmonary embolism: influence on radiologists' detection performance with respect to vessel segments.
abstract: The purpose was to assess the sensitivity of a CAD software prototype for the detection of pulmonary embolism in MDCT chest examinations with regard to vessel level and to assess the influence on radiologists' detection performance. Forty-three patients with suspected PE were included in this retrospective study. MDCT chest examinations with a standard PE protocol were acquired at a 16-slice MDCT. All patient data were read by three radiologists (R1, R2, R3), and all thrombi were marked. A CAD prototype software was applied to all datasets, and each finding of the software was analyzed with regard to vessel level. The standard of reference was assessed in a consensus read. Sensitivity for the radiologists and CAD software was assessed. Thirty-three patients were positive for PE, with a total of 215 thrombi. The mean overall sensitivity for the CAD software alone was 83% (specificity, 80%). Radiologist sensitivity was 77% = R3, 82% = R2, and R1 = 87%. With the aid of the CAD software, sensitivities increased to 98% (R1), 93% (R2), and 92% (R3) (p<0.0001). CAD performance at the lobar level was 87%, at the segmental 90% and at the subsegmental 77%. With the use of CAD for PE, the detection performance of radiologists can be improved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52072 Aachen, Germany. das@rad.rwth-aachen.de
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mühlenbruch
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Helm
authors.forename: Annemarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bakai
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salganicoff
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stanzel
authors.forename: Jianming
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Rolf W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Günther
authors.forename: Joachim Ernst
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Wildberger
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide