Radiomics-based machine learning for automated detection of Pneumothorax in CT scans

by Hanieh Alimiri Dehbaghi, Karim Khoshgard, Hamid Sharini, Samira Jafari Khairabadi, Farhad Naleini

The increasing complexity of diagnostic imaging often leads to misinterpretations and diagnostic errors, particularly in critical conditions such as pneumothorax. This study addresses the pressing need for improved diagnostic accuracy in CT scans by developing an intelligent model that leverages radiomics features and machine learning techniques. By enhancing the detection of pneumothorax, this research aims to mitigate diagnostic errors and accelerate the process of image interpretation, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Data used in this study was extracted from the medical records of 175 patients with suspected pneumothorax. The collected images were preprocessed in Matlab software. Radiomics features were extracted from each image and finally, the machine learning models were implemented on these features. The used machine learning algorithms are Gradient Tree Boosting (GBM), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Light GBM. To evaluate the performance of models, various evaluation criteria such as precision, accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, F1 score, Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve (AUC), and misclassification were calculated. According to the calculated evaluation criteria, in terms of accuracy, the Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) model achieved the highest performance with an accuracy of 98.97%, followed closely by the XGBoost model at 98.29%. For precision, the GBM model outperformed the other models, recording a precision value of 99.55%. Regarding sensitivity, all three models—GBM, XGBoost, and LightGBM (LGBM)—demonstrated strong performance, with sensitivity values of 99%, 99%, and 100%, respectively, indicating minimal variation among them. The artificial intelligence models used in this study have significant potential to enhance patient care by supporting radiologists and other clinicians in the diagnosis of pneumothorax. These models can facilitate the prioritization of positive cases, expedite evaluations, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.