[Evaluation of a computer aided detection system for lung nodules with ground glass opacity component on multidetector-row CT].

PURPOSE

To determine the performance of a CAD system for lung nodules with ground glass opacity component on multidetector-row CT. Materials and methods. The CT examinations of 17 patients with at least one persistent subsolid nodule were reviewed. A first non-blinded consensus review by two expert radiologists resulted in the detection of 104 subsolid nodules larger than 3 mm (74 nodules of ground glass attenuation and 30 mixed nodules with solid and ground glass components). The results from this review were used as a gold standard to determine the performances of the CAD system and 3 independent clinical radiologists involved with the primary interpretations.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of the CAD system for the detection of ground glass opacities and mixed nodules was 53% and 73% respectively. These values were not statistically different from the values for the 3 independent observers (42-66% for ground glass opacities and 63-80% for mixed nodules). The sensitivity of each observer significantly increased when the nodules detected by the CAD system were added to those detected by each observer (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

A CAD system has a potential impact on the detection rate of subsolid nodules by radiologists.