title: Usefulness of computerized method for lung nodule detection in digital chest radiographs using temporal subtraction images.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a novel computerized method for lung nodule detection on digital chest radiographs using temporal subtraction images.
  
  
  METHODS
  To significantly reduce the number of false-positive results while maintaining high sensitivity, temporal subtraction images, which can enhance interval changes on sequential chest radiographs, were used. Fifty-one cases with lung nodules <3 cm and 51 cases without lung nodules were selected for an observer performance test. Twelve radiologists participated in this observer performance test. The radiologists' performance was evaluated using receiver-operating characteristic analysis, on a continuous rating scale. To estimate the numbers of cases affected beneficially and those affected detrimentally using this computerized method, the computer output was assumed to have an effect on an observer's diagnosis when there was a difference in rating score of ≥30% between the first and second ratings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average area under the curve for all radiologists increased significantly from 0.849 to 0.950 with the computerized method (P < .001). The mean number of cases affected beneficially was significantly higher than that of cases affected detrimentally (8.92 vs 1.25, P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The novel computerized method using temporal subtraction images would be useful in detecting lung nodules on digital chest radiographs.
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Iseigaoka 1-1, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan. a-taka@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp
authors: Takatoshi
authors: T
authors: Aoki
authors: Nobuhiro
authors: N
authors: Oda
authors: Yoshiko
authors: Y
authors: Yamashita
authors: Keiji
authors: K
authors: Yamamoto
authors: Yukunori
authors: Y
authors: Korogi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D012372:ROC Curve; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013382:Subtraction Technique