Potential usefulness of computerized nodule detection in screening programs for lung cancer.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE

To alert radiologists to possible nodule locations and subsequently to reduce the number of false-negative diagnoses, the authors are developing a computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) scheme for the detection of lung nodules in digital chest images.

METHODS

A computer-vision scheme was applied to photofluorographic films obtained in a mass survey for detection of asymptomatic lung cancer in Japan. Ninety-five patients with abnormal test results who had primary and metastatic lung cancers and 103 patients with normal test results were included.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of the computer output was comparable with that of physicians in this mass survey (62%). The computer detected approximately 40% of all nodules missed in the mass survey, but missed 17 true-positive results identified in the mass survey. The CAD scheme produced an average of 15 false-positive findings per image.

CONCLUSION

If the number of false-positive results can be significantly reduced, computer-vision schemes such as this may have a role in lung cancer screening programs.