Computer-assisted detection of infectious lung diseases: a review
Computerized Medical Imaging and Graphics, 36(1), 72–84
Abstract
Respiratory tract infections are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Although radiology serves as a primary diagnostic method for assessing respiratory tract infections, visual analysis of chest radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans is restricted by low specificity for causal infectious organisms and a limited capacity to assess severity and predict patient outcomes. These limitations suggest that computer-assisted detection (CAD) could make a valuable contribution to the management of respiratory tract infections by assisting in the early recognition of pulmonary parenchymal lesions, providing quantitative measures of disease severity and assessing the response to therapy. In this paper, we review the most common radiographic and CT features of respiratory tract infections, discuss the challenges of defining and measuring these disorders with CAD, and propose some strategies to address these challenges.
Abstract sourceThis 2012 review surveys chest radiograph and CT findings associated with respiratory tract infections and discusses how computer-assisted detection might support their recognition and measurement. It also outlines technical challenges and research directions, rather than reporting a newly validated clinical system.
Summary
Bagci and colleagues review common imaging patterns associated with respiratory tract infections and discuss approaches to computer-assisted detection (CAD)—computer-based analysis intended to support interpretation of medical images. The review covers chest radiographs and computed tomography (CT), including texture and shape analysis, classification, and measurement of disease extent. The authors also describe challenges in connecting imaging patterns to specific infections and in quantifying diffuse abnormalities. Read the article.
This is a review article, not a report of a newly evaluated diagnostic system. Its abstract describes proposed potential uses for CAD, including recognizing lung lesions and measuring disease severity; it does not establish clinical performance or readiness. The authors note that common imaging patterns are not specific to individual pathogens and discuss limitations in the evidence and methods available at the time.
Cite this work
Ulaş Bağcı, Mike Bray, Jesus Caban, Jianhua Yao, Daniel J. Mollura (2012). Computer-assisted detection of infectious lung diseases: a review. Computerized Medical Imaging and Graphics, 36(1), 72–84 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compmedimag.2011.06.002
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