Diagnostic performance of convolutional neural network-based AI in detecting oral squamous cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis

In detecting OSCC, CNN-based AI demonstrates a high diagnostic performance. These findings suggest that CNN models, though not yet widely implemented in routine diagnostic workflows, hold strong potential for OSCC detection. However, the current evidence is largely based on retrospective studies with limited sample sizes and methodological variability, and only one study performed external validation. Therefore, larger prospective and multicenter studies are needed before clinical translation.