OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to utilize MR radiomics-based machine learning classifiers on a large-sample, multicenter dataset to develop an optimal model for predicting malignant sinonasal tumors and tumor-like lesions.

METHODS

This study included 1711 adult patients (875 benign and 836 malignant) with sinonasal tumors or tumor-like lesions from three institutions. Patients from institution 1 (n = 1367) constituted both the training and validation cohorts, while those from institution 2 and 3 (n = 158/186) made up the test cohorts. Manual segmentation of the region of interest of the tumor was performed on T1WI, T2WI, and contrast-enhanced T1WI (CE-T1WI). Data normalization, dimensional reductions, feature selection, and classifications were performed using ten machine-learning classifiers. Four fusion models, namely T1WI + T2WI, T1WI + CE-T1WI, T2WI + CE-T1WI, and T1WI + T2WI + CE-T1WI, were constructed using the top ten features with the highest contribution in feature selection in the optimal models of T1WI, T2WI, and CE-T1WI. The Delong test compared areas under the curve (AUC) between models.

RESULTS

The AUCs of training/validation/test1/test2 datasets for T1WI, T2WI, and CE-T1WI were 0.900/0.842/0.872/0.839, 0.876/0.789/0.842/0.863, and 0.899/0.824/0.831/0.707, respectively. The fusion model from T1WI + T2WI + CE-T1WI had the highest AUC. The AUCs of training/validation/test1/test2 datasets were 0.947/0.849/0.871/0.887. The T1WI + T2WI + CE-T1WI model demonstrated a significantly higher AUC than the T2WI + CE-T1WI model in both cohorts (p < 0.05) and outperformed the T2WI model in test 1 (p = 0.008) and the T1WI model in test 2 (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

This fusion model based on radiomics from T1WI + T2WI + CE-T1WI images and machine learning can improve the power in predicting malignant sinonasal tumors with high accuracy, resilience, and robustness.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

Our study proposes a radiomics-based machine learning fusion model from T1- and T2-weighted images and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images, which can non-invasively identify the nature of sinonasal tumors and improve the performance in predicting malignant sinonasal tumors.

KEY POINTS

Differentiating benign and malignant sinonasal tumors is difficult due to similar clinical presentations. A radiomics model from T1 + T2 + contrast-enhanced T1 images can identify the nature of sinonasal tumors. This model can help distinguish benign and malignant sinonasal tumors.