Artificial intelligence and radiomics enhance the positive predictive value of digital chest tomosynthesis for lung cancer detection within SOS clinical trial

Digital tomosynthesis (DTS) could be a realistic alternative to low dose CT for lung cancer screening, in particular for detecting nodules larger than 5 mm. In the past years, within SOS clinical trial we found that the probability of detecting lung cancer with the DTS in a population of heavy smokers older than 45 years was around 1%, a value comparable to the detection rates found in low dose CT screening programs.

DTS, as well as low dose CT, suffers from an intrinsically low positive predictive value (PPV) with a very high negative predictive value (NPV). Within the population of about 2000 subjects that were enrolled in SOS we found indeed a PPV of 0.14 with an NPV of 1.

Considering also the radiological characteristics of the nodules, such as dimension, opacity and calcification, slightly enhanced the PPV to 0.19 with an NPV of 1.

We hence performed radiomic analysis, using PORTS, a MATLAB tool developed by the University of Washington, on the nodules calculating different texture features (namely Haralick features) and trained a neural network to classify them.

When the trained neural network was applied to the subjects enrolled in SOS the PPV increased up to 0.95 without affecting the NPV that was still 1.

We hence think that calculating texture features of the nodules could help the radiologist in discerning malignant from being nodules and we invite colleagues to test our hypothesis within their framework.

Key points

  • We investigated several approaches to enhance the positive predictive value of chest digital tomosynthesis in the lung cancer detection.
  • Neural network demonstrated to be the best predictor with a nearly perfect PPV.
  • Neural network could help radiologists to reduce the number of false positive in DTS.

Article: Artificial intelligence and radiomics enhance the positive predictive value of digital chest tomosynthesis for lung cancer detection within SOS clinical trial

Authors: Stéphane Chauvie, Adriano De Maggi, Ilaria Baralis, Federico Dalmasso, Paola Berchialla, Roberto Priotto, Paolo Violino, Federico Mazza, Giulio Melloni, Maurizio Grosso & SOS Study team

WRITTEN BY

  • Stéphane Chauvie

    Medical Physics Division, Santa Croce e Carle Hospital, Cuneo, Italy

Latest posts

Become A Member Today!

You will have access to a wide range of benefits that can help you advance your career and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field of radiology. These benefits include access to educational resources, networking opportunities with other professionals in the field, opportunities to participate in research projects and clinical trials, and access to the latest technologies and techniques. 

Check out our different membership options.

If you don’t find a fitting membership send us an email here.

Membership

for radiologists, radiology residents, professionals of allied sciences (including radiographers/radiological technologists, nuclear medicine physicians, medical physicists, and data scientists) & professionals of allied sciences in training residing within the boundaries of Europe

  • Reduced registration fees for ECR 1
  • Reduced fees for the European School of Radiology (ESOR) 2
  • Option to participate in the European Diploma. 3
  • Free electronic access to the journal European Radiology 
  • Content e-mails for all ESR journals4
  • Updates on offers & events through our newsletters
  • Exclusive access to the ESR feed in Juisci

€ 11 /year

Yes! That is less than €1 per month.

Free membership

for radiologists, radiology residents or professionals of allied sciences engaged in practice, teaching or research residing outside Europe as well as individual qualified professionals with an interest in radiology and medical imaging who do not fulfil individual or all requirements for any other ESR membership category & former full members who have retired from all clinical practice
  • Reduced registration fees for ECR 1
  • Option to participate in the European Diploma. 3
  • Free electronic access to the journal European Radiology
  • Content e-mails for all ESR journals 4
  • Updates on offers & events through our newsletters
  • Exclusive access to the ESR feed in Juisci

€ 0

The best things in life are free.

ESR Friends

For students, company representatives or hospital managers etc.

  • Content e-mails for all 3 ESR journals 4
  • Updates on offers & events through our newsletters

€ 0

Friendship doesn’t cost a thing.

The membership type best fitting for you will be selected automatically during the application process.

Footnotes:

01

Reduced registration fees for ECR 2025:
Provided that ESR 2024 membership is activated and approved by August 31, 2024.

02
Not all activities included
03
Examination based on the ESR European Training Curriculum (radiologists or radiology residents).
04
European Radiology, Insights into Imaging, European Radiology Experimental.