title: [Computed tomography with computer-assisted detection of pulmonary nodules in dogs and cats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the potential benefit of computer-assisted detection (CAD) of pulmonary nodules in veterinary medicine. Therefore, the CAD rate was compared to the detection rates of two individual examiners in terms of its sensitivity and false-positive findings.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 51 dogs and 16 cats with pulmonary nodules previously diagnosed by computed tomography. First, the number of nodules ≥ 3 mm was recorded for each patient by two independent examiners. Subsequently, each examiner used the CAD software for automated nodule detection. With the knowledge of the CAD results, a final consensus decision on the number of nodules was achieved. The software used was a commercially available CAD program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sensitivity of examiner 1 was 89.2%, while that of examiner 2 reached 87.4%. CAD had a sensitivity of 69.4%. With CAD, the sensitivity of examiner 1 increased to 94.7% and that of examiner 2 to 90.8%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CAD-system, which we used in our study, had a moderate sensitivity of 69.4%. Despite its severe limitations, with a high level of false-positive and false-negative results, CAD increased the examiners' sensitivity. Therefore, its supportive role in diagnostics appears to be evident.
authors.affiliation: Christian Niesterok, Klinik für Kleintiere, Veterinärmedizinische Fakultät der Universität Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 23, 04103 Leipzig, E-Mail: Niesterock@kleintierklinik.uni-leipzig.de.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Niesterok
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piesnack
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ludewig
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alef
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kiefer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary
keywords: Computed tomography; diagnostics; imaging techniques; neoplasia