[Detection of pulmonary nodules by computer-aided diagnosis in multidetector computed tomography: preliminary study...

To evaluate the performance of a computer program designed to facilitate the detection of pulmonary nodules using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans of the chest.

We evaluated 24 consecutive MDCT scans of the chest at the Fleury Diagnostic Imaging Center during the period from October 7 to October 19 of 2006, using a 64-channel CT scanner. The study comprised 12 females and 12 males, ranging from 35 to 77 years of age (mean, 57.9 years). Double reading and a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system were used in order to perform two independent analyses of the data. The nodules found using both methods were recorded, and the data were compared.

The total sensitivity of CAD for the detection of nodules was 16.5%, increasing to 55% when nodules <4 mm in diameter were excluded. Sensitivity by diameter was 6.5% for nodules <4 mm, 45% for nodules of 4-6 mm, 100% for nodules of 6 mm-10 cm, and 0% for nodules >1 cm. More than 99% of true nodules detected by CAD were registered in the image double reading process.

In this preliminary 24-case study, the sensitivity of computer program tested was not significantly greater than that of the double-reading process that is routinely performed in this facility.