Establishment of AI-assisted diagnosis of the infraorbital posterior ethmoid cells based on deep learning.

Objective: To construct an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted model for identifying the infraorbital posterior ethmoid cells (IPECs) based on deep learning using sagittal CT images.

Methods: Sagittal CT images of 277 samples with and 142 samples without IPECs were retrospectively collected. An experienced radiologist engaged in the relevant aspects picked a sagittal CT image that best showed IPECs. The images were randomly assigned to the training and test sets, with 541 sides in the training set and 97 sides in the test set. The training set was used to perform a five-fold cross-validation, and the results of each fold were used to predict the test set. The model was built using nnUNet, and its performance was evaluated using Dice and standard classification metrics.

Results: The model achieved a Dice coefficient of 0.900 in the training set and 0.891 in the additional set. Precision was 0.965 for the training set and 1.000 for the additional set, while sensitivity was 0.981 and 0.967, respectively. A comparison of the diagnostic efficacy between manual outlining by a less-experienced radiologist and AI-assisted outlining showed a significant improvement in detection efficiency (P < 0.05). The AI model aided correctly in identifying and outlining all IPECs, including 12 sides that the radiologist should improve portraying.

Conclusion: AI models can help radiologists identify the IPECs, which can further prompt relevant clinical interventions.