CAD improves detection of inconspicuous colonic polyps, adds little to search for flat colorectal lesions

Computer-aided detection systems show high potential for detecting inconspicuous colonic polyps but provide little help in locating nonpolypoid colorectal lesions, according to research presented Wednesday at the RSNA meeting.

Results of a study of 411 patients with three of the most conspicuous types of polyps -- near folds, on folds, and on walls -- showed high sensitivity for all three types, regardless of the polyp's conspicuity.

However, another study in the session, comparing the sensitivity of CT colonoscopies read by human readers with computer-aided diagnoses for detecting nonpolypoid (flat) colorectal lesions, showed that human readers had a 67% detection rate, compared to 56% for CAD.

The study noted, however, that using CAD software may help lower human perceptive errors and reduce reporting time.