We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBETECH PUBLISHING LLC

Download Mobile App




AI Diagnoses Lung Disease from CT Images as Accurately as Medical Specialists

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 31 Jul 2022
Image: AI performs as well as medical specialists in analyzing lung disease (Photo courtesy of Nagoya University)
Image: AI performs as well as medical specialists in analyzing lung disease (Photo courtesy of Nagoya University)

Doctors have waited a long time for an early means of diagnosing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a potentially fatal disease that can scar a person’s lungs. Except for drugs that can delay the disease’s progression, established therapies do not exist. Since doctors face many difficulties diagnosing the disease, they often have to request a specialist diagnosis. In addition, many of the diagnostic techniques, such as lung biopsy, are highly invasive. These investigative measures may exacerbate the disease, increasing a patient's risk of dying. Now, researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that accurately and quickly diagnoses idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The algorithm makes its diagnosis based only on information from non-invasive examinations, including lung images and medical information collected during daily medical care.

In order to develop the new technology to diagnose idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, researchers at Nagoya University (Nagoya, Japan) used AI to analyze medical data collected during normal care from patients undergoing interstitial pneumonia treatment. They found that their AI diagnosed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with a similar level of accuracy as a human specialist. Despite finding that their AI performed just as well as experts, the team stress that they do not see it as replacing medical professionals. Instead, they hope that specialists will use AI in medical treatment to ensure that they do not miss opportunities for early treatment. Its use would also avoid invasive procedures, such as lung biopsies, which could save lives.

“Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has a very poor prognosis among lung diseases,” said Taiki Furukawa, Assistant Professor of the Nagoya University Hospital. “It has been difficult to diagnose even for general respiratory physicians. The diagnostic AI developed in this study would allow any hospital to get a diagnosis equivalent to that of a specialist. For idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the developed diagnostic AI is useful as a screening tool, and may lead to personalized medicine by collaborating with medical specialists.”

Furukawa is excited about the possibilities: “The practical application of diagnostic AI and collaborative diagnosis with specialists may lead to a more accurate diagnosis and treatment. We expect it to revolutionize medical care.”

Related Links:
Nagoya University 

New
Post-Processing Imaging System
DynaCAD Prostate
Portable Color Doppler Ultrasound System
S5000
Medical Radiographic X-Ray Machine
TR30N HF
Portable X-ray Unit
AJEX140H

Channels

Ultrasound

view channel
Image: The new implantable device for chronic pain management is small and flexible (Photo courtesy of The Zhou Lab at USC)

Wireless Chronic Pain Management Device to Reduce Need for Painkillers and Surgery

Chronic pain affects millions of people globally, often leading to long-term disability and dependence on opioid medications, which carry significant risks of side effects and addiction.... Read more

Nuclear Medicine

view channel
Image: The diagnostic tool could improve diagnosis and treatment decisions for patients with chronic lung infections (Photo courtesy of SNMMI)

Novel Bacteria-Specific PET Imaging Approach Detects Hard-To-Diagnose Lung Infections

Mycobacteroides abscessus is a rapidly growing mycobacteria that primarily affects immunocompromised patients and those with underlying lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary... Read more

Imaging IT

view channel
Image: The new Medical Imaging Suite makes healthcare imaging data more accessible, interoperable and useful (Photo courtesy of Google Cloud)

New Google Cloud Medical Imaging Suite Makes Imaging Healthcare Data More Accessible

Medical imaging is a critical tool used to diagnose patients, and there are billions of medical images scanned globally each year. Imaging data accounts for about 90% of all healthcare data1 and, until... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.