Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39806293›Full record

SynthesisBMC cancer2025

Artificial intelligence performance in ultrasound-based lymph node diagnosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Xinyang Han, Jingguo Qu, Man-Lik Chui, Simon Takadiyi Gunda, Ziman Chen, Jing Qin, Ann Dorothy King, Winnie Chiu-Wing Chu, Jing Cai, Michael Tin-Cheung Ying

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Xinyang HanThe Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
Jingguo QuThe Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
Man-Lik ChuiThe Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
Simon Takadiyi GundaThe Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
Ziman ChenThe Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
Jing QinCentre for Smart Health and School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
Ann Dorothy KingDepartment of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Winnie Chiu-Wing ChuDepartment of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Jing CaiThe Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
Michael Tin-Cheung YingThe Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. michael.ying@polyu.edu.hk.

Funding

General Research Fund of the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong 15102222
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

objectivesAccurate classification of lymphadenopathy is essential for determining the pathological nature of lymph nodes (LNs), which plays a crucial role in treatment selection. The biopsy method is invasive and carries the risk of sampling failure, while the utilization of non-invasive approaches such as ultrasound can minimize the probability of iatrogenic injury and infection. With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the diagnostic efficiency of LNs is further enhanced. This study evaluates the performance of ultrasound-based AI applications in the classification of benign and malignant LNs.

methodsThe literature research was conducted using the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases as of June 2024. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the QUADAS-2 tool. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were calculated to assess the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound-based AI in classifying benign and malignant LNs. Subgroup analyses were also conducted to identify potential sources of heterogeneity.

resultsA total of 1,355 studies were identified and reviewed. Among these studies, 19 studies met the inclusion criteria, and 2,354 cases were included in the analysis. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and DOR of ultrasound-based machine learning in classifying benign and malignant LNs were 0.836 (95% CI [0.805, 0.863]), 0.850 (95% CI [0.805, 0.886]), and 33.331 (95% CI [22.873, 48.57]), respectively, indicating no publication bias (p = 0.12). Subgroup analyses may suggest that the location of lymph nodes, validation methods, and type of primary tumor are the sources of heterogeneity.

conclusionAI can accurately differentiate benign from malignant LNs. Given the widespread use of ultrasonography in diagnosing malignant LNs in cancer patients, there is significant potential for integrating AI-based decision support systems into clinical practice to enhance the diagnostic accuracy.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceLymphadenopathyLymph NodesHumansLymphatic MetastasisSensitivity and SpecificityUltrasonographyComputer-aided diagnosisLymph nodeMachine learningRadiomicsUltrasonography

Identifiers

PMID39806293
PMCPMC11726910

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.