Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39966724›Full record

SynthesisBMC cancer2025

Accuracy of artificial intelligence in detecting tumor bone metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Huimin Tao, Xu Hui, Zhihong Zhang, Rongrong Zhu, Ping Wang, Sheng Zhou, Kehu Yang

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 5 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed, 2 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

5 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Article
  4. AI for Lesion Detection in Musculoskeletal Radiology.Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology · 2025
    Review
  5. Review
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

7 authors.

Huimin Tao *The First Clinical Medical College of Gansu, University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China.
Xu Hui *Evidence-Based Medicine Centre, School of Basic Medical Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
Zhihong ZhangThe First Clinical Medical College of Gansu, University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China.
Rongrong ZhuThe First Clinical Medical College of Gansu, University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China.
Ping WangDepartment of Radiology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China.
Sheng ZhouDepartment of Radiology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China. Lzzs@sina.com.
Kehu YangEvidence-Based Medicine Centre, School of Basic Medical Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China. yangkh-ebm@lzu.edu.cn.

Funding

Gansu Provincial People's Hospital Intramural Research Fund Program NO: 21GSSYB-20National Natural Science Foundation of China NO: 82360358
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBone metastases (BM) represent a prevalent complication of tumors. Early and accurate diagnosis, however, is a significant hurdle for radiologists. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a valuable tool to assist radiologists in the detection of BM. This meta-analysis was undertaken to evaluate the AI diagnostic accuracy for BM.

methodsTwo reviewers performed an exhaustive search of several databases, including Wei Pu (VIP) database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Ovid-Embase, Ovid-Medline, Wan Fang database, and China Biology Medicine (CBM), from their inception to December 2024. This search focused on studies that developed and/or validated AI techniques for detecting BM in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT). A hierarchical model was used in the meta-analysis to calculate diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), area under the curve (AUC), specificity (SP), and pooled sensitivity (SE). The risk of bias and applicability were assessed using the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST), while the Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for individual prognosis or diagnosis-artificial intelligence (TRIPOD-AI) was employed for evaluating the quality of evidence.

resultThis review covered 20 articles, among them, 16 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results revealed a pooled SE of 0.88 (0.82-0.92), a pooled SP of 0.89 (0.84-0.93), a pooled AUC of 0.95 (0.92-0.96), PLR of 8.1 (5.57-11.80), NLR of 0.14 (0.09-0.21) and DOR of 58 (31-109). When focusing on imaging algorithms. Based on ML, a pooled SE of 0.88 (0.77-0.92), SP 0.88 (0.82-0.92), and AUC 0.93 (0.91-0.95). Based on DL, a pooled SE of 0.89 (0.81-0.95), SP 0.89 (0.81-0.94), and AUC 0.95 (0.93-0.97).

conclusionThis meta-analysis underscores the substantial diagnostic value of AI in identifying BM. Nevertheless, in-depth large-scale prospective research should be carried out for confirming AI's clinical utility in BM management.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceBone NeoplasmsHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingSensitivity and SpecificityTomography, X-Ray ComputedArtificial intelligenceBone metastasesDiagnosisMeta-analysisSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID39966724
PMCPMC11837447

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

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.