Machine learning-based texture analysis for differentiation of radiologically indeterminate small adrenal tumors on adrenal protocol CT scans

Diagnostic Accuracy of CT Texture Analysis in Adrenal Masses: A Systematic Review

“…In six studies, histopathological examination was used as a gold standard reference to confirm the malignant or benign nature of the adrenal tumours [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Two studies used a combination of histopathological and follow-up data [ 21 , 22 ].…”

“…Six studies included adrenal metastases among malignant adrenal lesions [ 15 , 16 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 22 , 23 ]. Two studies focused the analysis on the differential diagnosis between adrenal cortisol lesions (ACC and adenomas) [ 17 , 21 ].…”

“…Three studies included only CT scans after injection of intravenous contrast medium [ 16 , 18 , 20 ], while the others reported the employment of both unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT images for texture analysis.…”

“…The most frequently used software for texture analysis was TexRAD (n = 3) [ 15 , 16 , 18 ], followed by PyRadiomics (n = 2) [ 17 , 20 ].…”

“…Four papers analysed the whole volume of the adrenal lesions [ 17 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], while five focused only on a single region of interest (ROI) drawn in an axial slice [ 15 , 16 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”