Radiology gets AI boost
Experts have reviewed high-tech new radiology methods.
Artificial intelligence (AI) could almost halve the workload of radiologists, according to a Swedish study of over 80,000 women aged 40-80, which estimates new computer tools saved about four-and-a-half months of work.
Mammograms are usually analysed by two radiologists, but AI was used to predict cancer risk, and the analysis was carried out by just one radiologist, unless the AI flagged a high-risk scan, which prompted a second (human) opinion.
AI-supported screening detected 20 per cent more cancers compared with double-reading the mammograms, with no increase in false positives.
Because the AI reduced the need for a second radiologist, it cut the workload by 44 per cent, which may help address the current shortage of radiologists, the team says.
While their results are promising, the scientists say further research is needed as the study was limited, and all the radiologists were moderately to highly experienced, which could have affected the results.
More details are accessible here.