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


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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Helm
Emma J
EJ
Department of Radiology, Churchill Hospital, Old Rd., Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LJ, UK. emmajhelm@hotmail.com
Silva
Cicero T
CT
Roberts
Heidi C
HC
Manson
David
D
Seed
Mike T M
MT
Amaral
Joao G
JG
Babyn
Paul S
PS
D000293:Adolescent; D000465:Algorithms; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*