We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Artificial Intelligence Accurately Detects Fractures on X-Rays

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 13 Jan 2022
Print article
Image: Examples of fractures detected using the AI BoneView algorithm (Photo courtesy of BUSM)
Image: Examples of fractures detected using the AI BoneView algorithm (Photo courtesy of BUSM)
A new study reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) assistance improves the sensitivity and specificity of radiology readers searching for skeletal fractures.

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM; MA, USA), Stony Brook University (SBU; NY, USA), and other institutions conducted a study of the Gleamer (Paris, France) AI BoneView algorithm, which can detect fractures of the limbs, pelvis, torso, lumbar spine, and rib cage. Six types of readers (radiologists, orthopedic surgeons, emergency physicians, physician assistants, rheumatologists, and family physicians) examined set 480 data sets, both with and without AI BoneView.

The results revealed that using AI assistance helped reduce missed fractures by 29% and increased readers' sensitivity by 16% for a single fracture, and by 30% for exams with more than one fracture, while improving specificity by 5%. The improvement in sensitivity was significant in all locations, but especially in the shoulder, clavicle, and thoracolumbar spine. AI assistance also shortened X-ray reading time by an average of 6.3 seconds per patient. The study was published on December 21, 2021, in Radiology.

“Our AI algorithm can quickly and automatically detect x-rays that are positive for fractures and flag those studies in the system so that radiologists can prioritize reading x-rays with positive fractures,” said corresponding author Professor Ali Guermazi, MD, PhD, of BUSM. “The system also highlights regions of interest with bounding boxes around areas where fractures are suspected. This can potentially contribute to less waiting time at the hospital or clinic before patients can get a positive diagnosis of fracture.”

Missed fractures on radiographs are one of the most common causes of diagnostic discrepancies between initial interpretations by non-radiologists or residents and the final read by board-certified radiologists, leading to preventable harm or delay in care to the patient. In addition, inconsistencies in radiographic diagnosis of fractures are more common during the evening and overnight hours, likely related to non-expert reading and fatigue. In patients with multiple traumas, the proportion of missed injuries, including fractures, can be high on the forearm and hands (6.6%) and feet (6.5%).

Related Links:
Boston University School of Medicine
Stony Brook University
Gleamer


Gold Member
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Sample-To-Answer Test
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Cartridge (CE-IVD)
Gold Member
Real-Time Diagnostics Onscreen Viewer
GEMweb Live
New
ECG Air Suction Unit
ECG Air / BT
New
Mobile Cordless Cast Saw
CleanCast CSB-100

Print article

Channels

Critical Care

view channel
Image: Tissue plasminogen activator working to dissolving brain clot and improving blood flow to the part of the brain being deprived (Photo courtesy of American Heart Association)

Injecting Clot-Dissolving Drug After Removing Large Brain Artery Clot Improves Stroke Outcomes

Approximately 1 in 5 ischemic strokes, which are caused by a clot, occur due to a blockage in a large artery in the brain (large vessel occlusions). The standard treatment for this type of stroke is the... Read more

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: The KeyScope low-cost laparoscope enables high resolution surgical imaging (Photo courtesy of Barnes et al., doi 10.1117/1.BIOS.2.2.022302)

Low-Cost, Robust Laparoscope Addresses Cost, Power and Sterilization Challenges

Laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive technique, has revolutionized surgical practices in high-income countries. This method involves using a laparoscope to perform operations through small incisions,... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The portable biosensor platform uses printed electrochemical sensors for the rapid, selective detection of Staphylococcus aureus (Photo courtesy of AIMPLAS)

Portable Biosensor Platform to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections

Approximately 4 million patients in the European Union acquire healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) or nosocomial infections each year, with around 37,000 deaths directly resulting from these infections,... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.