Multicentre evaluation of deep learning CT autosegmentation of the head and neck region for radiotherapy
This is a multi-institutional study to evaluate a head-and-neck CT auto-segmentation software across seven institutions globally. 11 lymph node levels and 7 organs-at-risk contours were evaluated in a two-phase study design. Time savings were measured in both phases, and the inter-observer variability across the seven institutions was quantified in phase two. Overall time savings were found to be 42% in phase one and 49% in phase two. Lymph node levels IA, IB, III, IVA, and IVB showed no significant time savings, with some centers reporting longer editing times than manual delineation. All the edited ROIs showed reduced inter-observer variability compared to manual segmentation. Our study shows that auto-segmentation plays a crucial role in harmonizing contouring practices globally. However, the clinical benefits of auto-segmentation software vary significantly across ROIs and between clinics. To maximize its potential, institution-specific commissioning is required to optimize the clinical benefits.
Authors
- Eric Pei Ping Pang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7930-926X)
- Kaisa Lehtiö
- Timo Kiljunen
- Marta Capala
- Kristiina Vuolukka (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9067-0566)
- Steven Petit (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9787-8239)
- Jani Keyriläinen
- Hong Qi Tan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7878-4544)
- D. Zolotuhhin
- G. Bolard
- Jarkko Niemelä (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1924-4462)
- Juha Nikkinen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6355-3444)
- Melvin L.K. Chua (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1648-1473)
- Jan Seppälä (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0922-329X)
- E. Gershkevitsh
- Miia Mokka
- Susan Ramadan
- Fuqiang Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7777-3541)
- Ingrid Kiitam
Institutions
- University of Helsinki (FI)
- Oulu University Hospital (FI)
- Helsinki Institute of Physics (FI)
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FI)
- Turku University Hospital (FI)
- Kuopio University Hospital (FI)
- North Estonia Medical Centre (EE)
- Duke-NUS Medical School (SG)
- National Cancer Centre Singapore (SG)
- Erasmus MC Cancer Institute (NL)
- Docrates Cancer Center (FI)
- University of Oulu (FI)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Digital Medicine
- Published
- 2025-05-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-025-01624-z
- Citations
- 7
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Radiotherapy Techniques
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 13.18