Identification of metastatic lymph nodes in MR imaging with faster region-based convolutional neural networks

Abstract

MRI is the gold standard for confirming a pelvic lymph node metastasis diagnosis. Traditionally, medical radiologists have analyzed MRI image features of regional lymph nodes to make diagnostic decisions based on their subjective experience; this diagnosis lacks objectivity and accuracy. This study trained a faster region-based convolutional neural network (Faster RCNN) with 28,080 MRI images of lymph node metastasis, allowing the Faster R-CNN to read those images and to make diagnoses. For clinical verification, 414 cases of rectal cancer at various medical centers were collected, and Faster R-CNN–based diagnoses were compared with radiologist diagnoses using receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC). The area under the Faster R-CNN ROC was 0.912, indicating a more effective and objective diagnosis. The Faster R-CNN diagnosis time was 20 s/case, which was much shorter than the average time (600 s/case) of the radiologist diagnoses.