High Rates of Accuracy Noted with ColonCAD System
Data presented at the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR) indicates that the ColonCAD system from Medicsight has a high rate of detecting colon cancer. The study assessed use of ColonCAD as a tool to support radiographers in the interpretation of virtual colonography (VC) studies, as reported by Health Imaging.
The researchers examined VC studies from a group of patients who underwent the study as routine care. The cohort included over 300 patients, 61 percent of whom were female. Two radiographers reviewed the images and the CAD system served as a secondary review.
When the radiographers included the input of CAD, 100 percent of the cancers were detected. With respect to the polyps, 72 percent of those greater than 10mm were detected and 67 percent of the polyps between 6-9mm were accurately identified. Findings were compared to the interpretation of an experienced radiologist and colonoscopy findings, if available.
Retrospective analysis of the findings indicate that the CAD system could have assisted radiographers detect 60 percent of the polyps. If those polyps were accepted by the reading radiographers, the rates of accuracy would have increased 83 and 89 percent for the medium and large polyps, respectively.
The researchers note that few radiologists are trained in the interpretation of VC. The availability of this computer-aided detection (CAD) system, if used to train and support clinicians, can increase the likelihood that VC studies will be interpreted correctly.
June 23, 2008 Related topics: New Technology & Innovation, Diagnostic, IT & software