New Method to Detect Lung Nodules Created

A French study suggests computer-aided diagnosis combined with multi-detector computer tomography improves identification of solid lung nodules.

Researchers at the Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital in Paris said the combination technology allows the radiologists to detect solid lung nodules early enough for them to be treated without increasing interpretation time.

The comparison of a current examination with prior examinations is a time-consuming and tedious task, said Dr. Philippe Grenier, lead author of the research. This study wanted to evaluate the potential of a computerized automated system to improve human efficiency in this way, and determine whether CAD systems improve the detection of actionable lung nodules.

The study consisted of 54 pairs of low-dose computerized tomography chest exams. The computer-aided diagnosis system detected 52 nodules that were 4 millimeters or larger in 25 exams. One cancer was initially missed by a radiologist, but was correctly identified with CAD input.

On average, readers spent 4-5 minutes per case to read the paired exams on CAD and 6-8 seconds per CAD mark. The CAD system successfully matched 91.3 percent of nodules detected in both exams.

The study is reported in the October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.