Clinical outcomes and actual consequence of lung nodules incidentally detected on chest radiographs by artificial intelligence

Abstract

This study evaluated how often clinically significant lung nodules were detected unexpectedly on chest radiographs (CXR) by artificial intelligence (AI)—based detection software, and whether co-existing findings can aid in differential diagnosis of lung nodules. Patients (> 18 years old) with AI-detected lung nodules at their first visit from March 2021 to February 2022, except for those in the pulmonology or thoracic surgery departments, were retrospectively included. Three radiologists categorized nodules into malignancy, active inflammation, post-inflammatory sequelae, or “other” groups. Characteristics of the nodule and abnormality scores of co-existing lung lesions were compared. Approximately 1% of patients (152/14,563) had unexpected lung nodules. Among 73 patients with follow-up exams, 69.9% had true positive nodules. Increased abnormality scores for nodules were significantly associated with malignancy (odds ratio [OR] 1.076, P = 0.001). Increased abnormality scores for consolidation (OR 1.033, P = 0.040) and pleural effusion (OR 1.025, P = 0.041) were significantly correlated with active inflammation–type nodules. Abnormality scores for fibrosis (OR 1.036, P = 0.013) and nodules (OR 0.940, P = 0.001) were significantly associated with post-inflammatory sequelae categorization. AI-based lesion-detection software of CXRs in daily practice can help identify clinically significant incidental lung nodules, and referring accompanying lung lesions may help classify the nodule.