Deep Learning-Based Identification of Spinal Metastasis in Lung Cancer Using Spectral CT Images

In this study, deep learning algorithm-based energy/spectral computed tomography (CT) for the spinal metastasis from lung cancer was used. A dilated convolutional U-Net model (DC-U-Net model) was first proposed, which was used to segment the energy/spectral CT image of patients with the spinal metastasis from lung cancer. Subsequently, energy/spectral CT images under different energy levels were collected for the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) comparison. It was found the learning rate of the model decreased exponentially as the number of training increased, with the lung contour segmented out of the image. Under 40–65 keV, the CT value of bone metastasis from lung cancer decreased with increasing energy, as with the average rank sum test result. The SNR and CNR values were the highest under 60 keV. The detection rate of the deep learning algorithm below 60 keV was 81.41%, and that of professional doctors was 77.56%. The detection rate of the deep learning algorithm below 140 keV was 66.03%, and that of professional doctors was 64.74%. In conclusion, the DC-U-Net model demonstrates better segmentation effects versus the convolutional neutral networ k (CNN), with the lung contour segmented. Further, a higher energy level leads to worse segmentation effects on the energy/spectral CT image.