Automated LVO detection and collateral scoring on CTA using a 3D self-configuring object detection network: a multi-center study

Sci Rep. 2023 May 31;13(1):8834. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-33723-w.

Abstract

The use of deep learning (DL) techniques for automated diagnosis of large vessel occlusion (LVO) and collateral scoring on computed tomography angiography (CTA) is gaining attention. In this study, a state-of-the-art self-configuring object detection network called nnDetection was used to detect LVO and assess collateralization on CTA scans using a multi-task 3D object detection approach. The model was trained on single-phase CTA scans of 2425 patients at five centers, and its performance was evaluated on an external test set of 345 patients from another center. Ground-truth labels for the presence of LVO and collateral scores were provided by three radiologists. The nnDetection model achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 98.26% (95% CI 96.25-99.36%) in identifying LVO, correctly classifying 339 out of 345 CTA scans in the external test set. The DL-based collateral scores had a kappa of 0.80, indicating good agreement with the consensus of the radiologists. These results demonstrate that the self-configuring 3D nnDetection model can accurately detect LVO on single-phase CTA scans and provide semi-quantitative collateral scores, offering a comprehensive approach for automated stroke diagnostics in patients with LVO.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain Ischemia*
  • Cerebral Angiography / methods
  • Computed Tomography Angiography / methods
  • Humans
  • Middle Cerebral Artery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stroke* / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed