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While computer-aided detection (CAD) software has shown potential for improved visualization of pulmonary nodules on low-dose CT studies used in lung cancer screening programs, these sensitivity gains have often come at the cost of a significant number of false-positive results. However, a Dutch team has found that excluding small nodules could still yield high sensitivity while cutting the false-positive rate nearly in half. Find out how they could achieve that performance by visiting here.

CAD isn't a panacea, of course, and French researchers have noted that CAD should not replace radiologists. While CAD can assist radiologists as a second reviewer in evaluating screening mammograms, the software shouldn't be responsible for omitting the complete evaluation of mammograms by a radiologist, according to the group. For full coverage of the research, click here.

In other articles featured recently in your Advanced Visualization Digital Community, a research team found strong results from the use of an advanced reading technique in virtual colonoscopy studies. Radiologists who looked only at CAD results for polyp reduction were able to slash interpretation times down to just three minutes per patient, according to the group. They were also able to retain per-patient sensitivity of 100% for adenomas 6 mm and larger. For the details, click here.

An Israeli research group also found that a computer-assisted surgery system that employs image analysis is showing promise as an orthopedic surgery tool. They determined that the system, which provides virtual trajectory of the guidewire, intraoperative planning, and various measurements, correlated well with manual methods. Find out more here.