Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40316834›Full record

ArticleEuropean radiology experimental2025

Artificial intelligence-based automated matching of pulmonary nodules on follow-up chest CT.

Nicola Fink, Jonathan I Sperl, Johannes Rueckel, Theresa Stüber, Sophia S Goller, Jan Rudolph, Felix Escher, Theresia Aschauer, Boj F Hoppe, Jens Ricke and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in European radiology experimental, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–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

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Beyond the heart: a pictorial review of extracardiac findings on cardiac CT.The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · 2026
    Review
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. 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

11 authors.

Nicola FinkDepartment of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany. nicola.fink@med.uni-muenchen.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3089-9606
Jonathan I SperlSiemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany.
Johannes RueckelDepartment of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Theresa StüberDepartment of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Sophia S GollerDepartment of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Jan RudolphDepartment of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Felix EscherDepartment of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Theresia AschauerDepartment of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Boj F HoppeDepartment of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Jens RickeDepartment of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Bastian O SabelDepartment of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe growing demand for follow-up imaging highlights the need for tools supporting the assessment of pulmonary nodules over time. We evaluated the performance of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system for automated nodule matching.

methodsIn this single-center study, patients with nodules and ≤ 2 chest computed tomography (CT) examinations were retrospectively selected. An AI-based algorithm was used for automated nodule detection and matching. The matching rate and the causes for incorrect matching were evaluated for the ten largest lesions (5-30 mm in diameter) registered on baseline CT. The dependence of the matching rate on nodule number and localization was also analyzed.

resultsOne hundred patients (46 females), with a median age of 62 years (interquartile range 57-69), and 253 CTs were included. Focusing on the ten largest lesions, 1,141 lesions were identified, of which 36 (3.2%) were other structures incorrectly identified as nodules (false-positives). Of the 1,105 identified nodules, 964 (87.2%) were correctly detected and matched. The matching rate for nodules registered in both baseline and follow-up scans was 97.8%. The matching rate per case ranged 80.0-100.0% (median 90.0%). Correct matching rate decreased in follow-up examinations to over 50 nodules (p = 0.003), with an overrepresentation of missed matching. Matching rates were higher in parenchymal (91.8%), peripheral (84.4%), and juxtavascular (82.4%) nodules than in juxtaphrenic nodules (71.1%) (p < 0.001). Missed matching was overrepresented in juxtavascular, and incorrect assignment in juxtaphrenic nodules.

conclusionThe correct automated-matching rate of metastatic pulmonary nodules in follow-up examinations was high, but it depends on localization and a number of nodules. RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The algorithm enables precise follow-up matching of pulmonary nodules, potentially providing a solid basis for standardized and accurate evaluations. Understanding the algorithm's strengths and weaknesses based on nodule localization and number enhances the interpretation of AI-based results. KEY POINTS: The AI algorithm achieved a correct nodule matching rate of 87.2% and up to 97.8% when considering nodules detected in both baseline and follow-up scans. Matching accuracy depended on nodule number and localization. This algorithm has the potential to support response evaluation criteria in solid tumor-based evaluations in clinical practice.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceLung NeoplasmsMultiple Pulmonary NodulesRadiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-AssistedSolitary Pulmonary NoduleTomography, X-Ray ComputedAgedAlgorithmsFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesArtificial intelligenceDiagnostic techniques and proceduresLung neoplasmsMultiple pulmonary nodulesTomography (x-ray computed)

Identifiers

PMID40316834
PMCPMC12048373

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

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.