Machine learning automatically detects COVID-19 using chest CTs in a large multicenter cohort

This retrospective, multi-institutional study investigated machine learning classifiers and interpretable models using chest CT for the detection of COVID-19 and to differentiate this from types of pneumonia, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and normal CTs. The study included 2,446 chest CTs from across 16 different institutions and the authors’ method was found to accurately differentiate COVID-19 from other types of pneumonia, ILD, and CTs with no pathologies and may be used to facilitate the diagnosis of COVID-19.

Key points

  • Unsupervised clustering reveals the key tomographic features including percent airspace opacity and peripheral and basal opacities most typical of COVID-19 relative to control groups.
  • COVID-19-positive CTs were compared with COVID-19-negative chest CTs (including a balanced distribution of non-COVID-19 pneumonia, ILD, and no pathologies). Classification accuracies for COVID-19, pneumonia, ILD, and CT scans with no pathologies are respectively 90%, 64%, 91%, and 94%.
  • Our deep learning (DL)–based classification method demonstrates an AUC of 0.93 (sensitivity 90%, specificity 83%). Machine learning methods applied to quantitative chest CT metrics can therefore improve diagnostic accuracy in suspected COVID-19, particularly in resource-constrained environments.

Article: Machine learning automatically detects COVID-19 using chest CTs in a large multicenter cohort

Authors: Eduardo J. Mortani Barbosa Jr, Bogdan Georgescu, Shikha Chaganti, Gorka Bastarrika Aleman, Jordi Broncano Cabrero, Guillaume Chabin, Thomas Flohr, Philippe Grenier, Sasa Grbic, Nakul Gupta, François Mellot, Savvas Nicolaou, Thomas Re, Pina Sanelli, Alexander W. Sauter, Youngjin Yoo, Valentin Ziebandt & Dorin Comaniciu

WRITTEN BY

Latest posts

Become A Member Today!

You will have access to a wide range of benefits that can help you advance your career and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field of radiology. These benefits include access to educational resources, networking opportunities with other professionals in the field, opportunities to participate in research projects and clinical trials, and access to the latest technologies and techniques. 

Check out our different membership options.

If you don’t find a fitting membership send us an email here.

Membership

for radiologists, radiology residents, professionals of allied sciences (including radiographers/radiological technologists, nuclear medicine physicians, medical physicists, and data scientists) & professionals of allied sciences in training residing within the boundaries of Europe

  • Reduced registration fees for ECR 1
  • Reduced fees for the European School of Radiology (ESOR) 2
  • Exclusive option to participate in the European Diploma. 3
  • Free electronic access to the journal European Radiology 4
  • Content e-mails for all ESR journals
  • Updates on offers & events through our newsletters
  • Exclusive access to the ESR feed in Juisci

€ 11 /year

Yes! That is less than €1 per month.

Free membership

for radiologists, radiology residents or professionals of allied sciences engaged in practice, teaching or research residing outside Europe as well as individual qualified professionals with an interest in radiology and medical imaging who do not fulfil individual or all requirements for any other ESR membership category & former full members who have retired from all clinical practice
  • Reduced registration fees for ECR 1
  • Free electronic access to the journal European Radiology
  • Content e-mails for all 3 ESR journals 4
  • Updates on offers & events through our newsletters
  • Exclusive access to the ESR feed in Juisci

€ 0

The best things in life are free.

ESR Friends

For students, company representatives or hospital managers etc.

  • Content e-mails for all 3 ESR journals 4
  • Updates on offers & events through our newsletters

€ 0

Friendship doesn’t cost a thing.

The membership type best fitting for you will be selected automatically during the application process.

Footnotes:

01

Reduced registration fees for ECR 2024:
Provided that ESR 2023 membership is activated and approved by August 31, 2023.

Reduced registration fees for ECR 2025:
Provided that ESR 2024 membership is activated and approved by August 31, 2024.

02
Not all activities included
03
Examination based on the ESR European Training Curriculum (radiologists or radiology residents).
04
European Radiology, Insights into Imaging, European Radiology Experimental.