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Automatic Detection and Scoring of Kidney Stones on Noncontrast CT Images Using S.T.O.N.E. Nephrolithometry: Combined Deep Learning and Thresholding Methods

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Abstract

Purpose

To develop and validate a deep learning and thresholding-based model for automatic kidney stone detection and scoring according to S.T.O.N.E. nephrolithometry.

Procedures

Abdominal noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) images were retrospectively archived from February 2018 to April 2019 for three parts: a segmentation dataset (n = 167), a hydronephrosis classification dataset (n = 282), and test dataset (n = 117). The model consisted of four steps. First, the 3D U-Nets for kidney and renal sinus segmentation were developed. Second, the deep 3D dual-path networks for hydronephrosis grading were developed. Third, the thresholding methods were used to detect and segment stones in the renal sinus region. The stone size, CT attenuation, and tract length were calculated from the segmented stone region. Fourth, the stone’s location was determined. The stone detection performance was estimated with sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV). The hydronephrosis grading and stone size, tract length, number of involved calyces, and essence grading were estimated with the area under the curve (AUC) method and linear-weighted κ statistics, respectively.

Results

The stone detection algorithm reached a sensitivity of 95.9 % (236/246) and a PPV of 98.7 % (236/239). The hydronephrosis classification algorithm achieved an AUC of 0.97. The scoring model results showed good agreement with radiologist results for the stone size, tract length, number of involved calyces, and essence grading (κ = 0.95, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.92, 0.98; κ = 0.97, 95 % CI: 0.95, 1.00; κ = 0.95, 95 % CI: 0.92, 0.98; and κ = 0.97, 95 % CI: 0.94, 1.00), respectively.

Conclusions

The scoring model was constructed that can automatically detect and score stones in NCCT images.

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Abbreviations

3D:

Three dimensional

CT:

Computed tomography

NCCT:

Noncontrast computed tomography

PCNL:

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy

ROC:

Receiver operating characteristic curve

AUC:

Area under the curve

PPV:

Positive predictive value

CI:

Confidence interval

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Peking University First Hospital, 8, Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100034, China

    Yingpu Cui, Zhaonan Sun, Shuai Ma, Xiaodong Zhang & Xiaoying Wang

  2. Beijing Smart Tree Medical Technology Co. Ltd., Beijing, China

    Weipeng Liu & Xiangpeng Wang

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  1. Yingpu Cui
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  2. Zhaonan Sun
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  3. Shuai Ma
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  5. Xiangpeng Wang
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  6. Xiaodong Zhang
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  7. Xiaoying Wang
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Correspondence to Xiaoying Wang.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments. For this type of study, formal consent is not required.

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Cui, Y., Sun, Z., Ma, S. et al. Automatic Detection and Scoring of Kidney Stones on Noncontrast CT Images Using S.T.O.N.E. Nephrolithometry: Combined Deep Learning and Thresholding Methods. Mol Imaging Biol 23, 436–445 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-020-01554-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-020-01554-0

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