Clinical Value of Artificial Intelligence‐Based Computer‐Aided Diagnosis System Versus Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound for Differentiation of Benign From Malignant Thyroid Nodules in Different Backgrounds

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the value of the AI‐SONIC ultrasound‐assisted diagnosis system versus contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules in diffuse and non‐diffuse backgrounds. Methods A total of 555 thyroid nodules with pathologically confirmed diagnosis were included in this retrospective study. The diagnostic efficacies of AI‐SONIC and CEUS for differentiating benign from malignant nodules in diffuse and non‐diffuse backgrounds were evaluated, with pathological diagnosis as the gold standard. Results The agreement between AI‐SONIC diagnosis and pathological diagnosis was moderate in diffuse backgrounds (κ = 0.417) and almost perfect in non‐diffuse backgrounds (κ = 0.81). The agreement between CEUS diagnosis and pathological diagnosis was substantial in diffuse backgrounds (κ = 0.684) and moderate in non‐diffuse backgrounds (κ = 0.407). In diffuse backgrounds, AI‐SONIC had slightly higher sensitivity (95.7 vs 89.4%, P = .375), but CEUS had significantly higher specificity (80.0 vs 40.0%, P = .008). In non‐diffuse background, AI‐SONIC had significantly higher sensitivity (96.2 vs 73.4%, P < .001), specificity (82.9 vs 71.2%, P = .007), and negative predictive value (90.3 vs 53.3%, P < .001). Conclusion In non‐diffuse backgrounds, AI‐SONIC is superior to CEUS for differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules. In diffuse backgrounds, AI‐SONIC could be useful for screening of cases to detect suspicious nodules requiring further examination by CEUS.

The value of Demetics ultrasound‐assisted diagnosis system in diagnosis of breast lesions and in assessment Ki‐67 status of breast cancer

“…To better explain the predicted results, the software generates heat maps to visualize the distribution of benign or malignant probabilities in different regions of breast lesions. However, most research published on Demetics currently focuses on thyroid lesions 13–16 …”

“…However, most research published on Demetics currently focuses on thyroid lesions. [13][14][15][16] In this study, we conducted a retrospective study applying Demetics to breast lesions, comparing the diagnostic performance of Demetics, two radiologists of different levels of experience and the combination of Demetics with the two radiologists. Additionally, we explored the correlation between the Ki-67 status of breast cancer and the visual heatmap by Demetics.…”