Deep learning neural networks to differentiate Stafne's bone cavity from pathological radiolucent lesions of the mandible in heterogeneous panoramic radiography

PLoS One. 2021 Jul 20;16(7):e0254997. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254997. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a high-performance deep learning algorithm to differentiate Stafne's bone cavity (SBC) from cysts and tumors of the jaw based on images acquired from various panoramic radiographic systems. Data sets included 176 Stafne's bone cavities and 282 odontogenic cysts and tumors of the mandible (98 dentigerous cysts, 91 odontogenic keratocysts, and 93 ameloblastomas) that required surgical removal. Panoramic radiographs were obtained using three different imaging systems. The trained model showed 99.25% accuracy, 98.08% sensitivity, and 100% specificity for SBC classification and resulted in one misclassified SBC case. The algorithm was approved to recognize the typical imaging features of SBC in panoramic radiography regardless of the imaging system when traced back with Grad-Cam and Guided Grad-Cam methods. The deep learning model for SBC differentiating from odontogenic cysts and tumors showed high performance with images obtained from multiple panoramic systems. The present algorithm is expected to be a useful tool for clinicians, as it diagnoses SBCs in panoramic radiography to prevent unnecessary examinations for patients. Additionally, it would provide support for clinicians to determine further examinations or referrals to surgeons for cases where even experts are unsure of diagnosis using panoramic radiography alone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Ameloblastoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Ameloblastoma / pathology
  • Databases, Factual
  • Deep Learning
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Jaw / diagnostic imaging
  • Jaw / pathology
  • Mandible / abnormalities
  • Mandible / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mandible / pathology
  • Mandibular Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Neural Networks, Computer
  • Odontogenic Cysts / diagnostic imaging*
  • Odontogenic Cysts / pathology
  • Radiography, Panoramic / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (grant number: 2020R1F1A1073956). This work was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MSIT) (grant number: 2020R1A2C2005709).