CT-based Opportunistic Screening for Adding Clinical Value: How I Do It

Abstract

There is a growing awareness that body CT scans contain rich cardiometabolic information that can be leveraged for additional patient benefits. However, the clinical implementation of opportunistic CT screening in routine practice has been hindered by valuable yet onerous manual measurements and subjective assessments. Explainable artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms are now poised to change this. The potential impact of opportunistic screening is further enhanced by the large volume of CT scans being obtained. In this "How I Do It" installment, the authors briefly outline some current approaches that can be obtained "on the fly," while focusing more on emerging automated solutions. Detecting unsuspected or presymptomatic conditions, such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, sarcopenia, and hepatic steatosis, could lead to preventive interventions, regardless of the original indication for imaging. Composite models that combine multiple cardiometabolic CT biomarkers can be applied to survival prediction and assessment of biologic aging, frailty, cancer cachexia, metabolic syndrome, and fracture risk, among other factors. For clinical reporting, a range of logistical, actuarial, and ethical issues must be carefully considered. However, if executed properly, we believe that opportunistic CT screening can add substantial value, be cost saving, and provide a new level of personalized precision medicine befitting the dawning AI information era.

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