Review of different convolutional neural networks used in segmentation of prostate during fusion biopsy

The incidence of prostate cancer is increasing in Poland, particularly due to the aging population. This review explores the potential of deep learning algorithms to accelerate prostate contouring during fusion biopsies, a time-consuming but crucial process for the precise diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic decision-making in prostate cancer. Implementing convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can significantly improve segmentation accuracy in multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI).

A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed and IEEE Xplore, focusing on open-access studies from the past five years, and following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The review evaluates the enhancement of prostate contouring and segmentation in MRI for fusion biopsies using CNNs.

The results indicate that CNNs, particularly those utilizing the U-Net architecture, are predominantly selected for advanced medical image analysis. All the reviewed algorithms achieved a Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) above 74%, indicating high precision and effectiveness in automatic prostate segmentation. However, there was significant heterogeneity in the methods used to evaluate segmentation outcomes across different studies.

This review underscores the need for developing and optimizing segmentation algorithms tailored to the specific needs of urologists performing fusion biopsies. Future research with larger cohorts is recommended to confirm these findings and further enhance the practical application of CNN-based segmentation tools in clinical settings.