An AI model achieved high accuracy in identifying esophageal achalasia on chest x-rays, surpassing physician performance.
Key Details
- 1Deep-learning AI model trained using 207 x-rays from 144 achalasia patients and 240 controls.
- 2Validation performed on a separate test set: 17 achalasia and 64 control x-rays.
- 3Model achieved AUC of 0.964, sensitivity 0.941, and specificity 0.891.
- 4Outperformed four physicians on the same test cases.
- 5Achalasia is a rare disorder with diagnosis often delayed by 6.5 years on average.
- 6Noninvasive screening using existing chest x-ray data may enable earlier diagnosis.
Why It Matters
Utilizing routine chest x-rays and AI, clinicians could screen for achalasia in a noninvasive way, potentially reducing diagnostic delays and improving patient outcomes. This highlights AI's growing role in enhancing radiological workflows.

Source
AuntMinnie
Related News

•AuntMinnie
AI-Enhanced MRI Boosts Return-to-Play Predictions for Athlete Muscle Injuries
Adding AI to MRI-based classification systems improves return-to-play predictions for professional athletes with muscle injuries.

•HealthExec
AI's Expanding Role in Healthcare and Implications for Radiology
A series of thought leaders and institutions weigh in on AI's transformative potential in healthcare, with emphasis on radiology adoption and responsible use.

•Radiology Business
Workflow Efficiency Tops AI ROI in Radiology Practices
Survey finds that AI's main ROI for radiology practices is improved workflow efficiency rather than direct financial gains.