Integration of Artificial Intelligence Decision Aids to Reduce Workload and Enhance Efficiency in Thyroid Nodule Management
Authors' conclusion
This diagnostic study suggests that an optimized AI strategy in thyroid nodule management may reduce diagnostic time-based costs without sacrificing diagnostic accuracy for senior radiologists, while the traditional all-AI strategy may still be more beneficial for junior radiologists.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with thyroid nodules on US; retrospective set 1048 patients, 1754 nodules (July 2018–July 2019); prospective set 268 patients, 300 nodules (May–December 2021); 16 junior and senior radiologists16 radiologists
- Comparison
- Optimized artificial intelligence (AI) strategy vs traditional all-AI strategy
- Outcome
- Diagnostic performance, time-based cost and assisted diagnosis, optimized vs traditional all-AI strategy (prospective set)
Methodological detailsretrospective development set, prospective comparison set, Data analyses completed in September 2022
- Retrospective development set
- Prospective comparison set
- Data analyses completed in September 2022
Performance
As reported in the abstract
Junior reader 11: all-AI vs optimized (increased with optimized)
15.2 seconds (95% CI, 13.2-17.2) to 19.4 seconds (95% CI, 15.6-23.3)
Junior reader 12: all-AI vs optimized (increased with optimized)
12.7 seconds (95% CI, 11.4-13.9) to 15.6 seconds (95% CI, 13.6-17.7)
Senior reader 14: all-AI vs optimized (shorter with optimized)
19.4 seconds (95% CI, 18.1-20.7) to 16.8 seconds (95% CI, 15.3-18.3)
Senior reader 16: all-AI vs optimized (shorter with optimized)
12.5 seconds (95% CI, 12.1-12.9) to 10.0 seconds (95% CI, 9.5-10.5)
Further findings
Sensitivity and specificity, readers 11 to 16
- No significant difference in sensitivity between the 2 strategies
- range, 91%-100%
- No significant difference in specificity between the 2 strategies
- range, 94%-98%
US features not improved by AI assistance
- Junior radiologists: cystic or almost completely cystic, anechoic, spongiform nodules, nodules <5 mm
- Senior radiologists: cystic or almost completely cystic, anechoic, spongiform, very hypoechoic, taller-than-wide, lobulated or irregular nodules, extrathyroidal extension
Original publication
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →