Implementation of machine learning into clinical breast MRI: Potential for objective and accurate decision-making in suspicious breast masses

Ellmann S, Wenkel E, Dietzel M, Bielowski C, Vesal S, Maier A, Hammon M, Janka RM, Fasching P, Beckmann M, Schulz-Wendtland R, Uder M, Bäuerle T (2020)


Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

Book Volume: 1-15

Pages Range: 1-15

Article Number: 1

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228446

Abstract

We investigated whether the integration of machine learning (ML) into MRI interpretation can provide accurate decision rules for the management of suspicious breast masses. A total of 173 consecutive patients with suspicious breast masses upon complementary assessment (BI-RADS IV/V: n = 100/76) received standardized breast MRI prior to histological verification. MRI findings were independently assessed by two observers (R1/R2: 5 years of experience/no experience in breast MRI) using six (semi-)quantitative imaging parameters. Interobserver variability was studied by ICC (intraclass correlation coefficient). A polynomial kernel function support vector machine was trained to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions based on the six imaging parameters and patient age. Ten-fold cross-validation was applied to prevent overfitting. Overall diagnostic accuracy and decision rules (rule-out criteria) to accurately exclude malignancy were evaluated. Results were integrated into a web application and published online. Malignant lesions were present in 107 patients (60.8%). Imaging features showed excellent interobserver variability (ICC: 0.81–0.98) with variable diagnostic accuracy (AUC: 0.65–0.82). Overall performance of the ML algorithm was high (AUC = 90.1%; BI-RADS IV: AUC = 91.6%). The ML algorithm provided decision rules to accurately rule-out malignancy with a false negative rate <1% in 31.3% of the BI-RADS IV cases. Thus, integration of ML into MRI interpretation can provide objective and accurate decision rules for the management of suspicious breast masses, and could help to reduce the number of potentially unnecessary biopsies.

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APA:

Ellmann, S., Wenkel, E., Dietzel, M., Bielowski, C., Vesal, S., Maier, A.,... Bäuerle, T. (2020). Implementation of machine learning into clinical breast MRI: Potential for objective and accurate decision-making in suspicious breast masses. PLoS ONE, 1-15, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228446

MLA:

Ellmann, Stephan, et al. "Implementation of machine learning into clinical breast MRI: Potential for objective and accurate decision-making in suspicious breast masses." PLoS ONE 1-15 (2020): 1-15.

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