Improved Detection of Lung Cancer Nodules with CAD Chest X-Ray Technology

A new study revealed that radiologists using a computer-aided detection (CAD) system were able to detect smaller lung nodules, including those that were primary lung cancer.

Riverain Medical (Dayton, OH, USA), a developer of CAD and advanced visualization technologies, announced the study's findings that have been published on the European Society of Radiology's website (please see related links below). Investigators compared two versions of Riverain Medical's CAD technology, OnGuard 5.1 and OnGuard 1.0.

"By using OnGuard 5.1 in tandem with a standard chest X-ray, our radiologists are now able to detect smaller lung nodules that would have previously gone unnoticed," said Dr. Matthew Freedman, lead investigator of the study and associate professor of oncology at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University (Washington DC, USA). "It's clear from our research that OnGuard CAD technology has improved significantly over the past 10 years. Improved sensitivity and a lower false positive rate allow radiologists to detect early-stage lung cancer sooner, giving them more confidence in diagnosing the patient."

Fifteen radiologists participated in the reader study, which analyzed more than 250 chest X-rays (approximately a 2:1 cancer negative to positive ratio). Compared to its earlier version, investigators found OnGuard 5.1 provided nearly 50% higher machine sensitivity for cancer detection, while significantly reducing the number of false positives per image.

"Initial results of the National Lung Screening Trial demonstrate for the first time that the early detection of lung cancer can save lives," said Steve Worrell, chief technology officer of Riverain Medical. "We're excited to play a key role in the early detection of lung cancer. OnGuard's CAD markings give radiologists a second set of eyes, allowing radiologists to find cancerous nodules at their earliest and most treatable stage."

The European Society of Radiology's annual meeting, ECR [European Congress of Radiology] 2011, will take in Vienna, Austria from March 3-7, 2011.

Related Links:
Riverain Medical
European Society of Radiology
Georgetown University