Operating Artificial Intelligence To Assist Physicians Diagnose Medical Images: A Narrative Review
Operating Artificial Intelligence To Assist Physicians Diagnose Medical Images: A Narrative Review
Review Article
Operating Artificial Intelligence to Assist Physicians Diagnose Medical Images: A
Narrative Review
Oluwaseun A. Adelaja1,*, , Hussein Alkattan2,
1 Information Communication and Technology Department, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria
2 Department of System Programming, South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, Russia
1. INTRODUCTION
In the sphere of healthcare, using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve medical imaging diagnosis has become a ground-
breaking strategy. AI algorithms can analyse the ever-increasing amount of medical pictures, including X-rays, CT scans,
and MRI scans, and offer insightful findings to help medical personnel make a correct and fast diagnosis [1-3]. Diagnostic
interpretation of medical images has traditionally relied significantly on the training and experience of radiologists and other
specialists. However, this procedure can take a while and be prone to mistakes made by humans. On the other hand, AI-
powered systems can process massive amounts of medical imagery and extract vital data to aid clinicians in their decision-
making [4][5]. There are various benefits to incorporating AI into medical image diagnosis. First off, medical images may
be swiftly and precisely scanned for abnormalities or suspected diseases using AI algorithms. They can draw attention to
particular areas of interest, assisting radiologists in concentrating on relevant areas and thus lowering the chance of missing
significant results. Second, AI algorithms can help with the quantification and measurement of medical imaging properties.
This skill is especially helpful for tracking the evolution of an illness over time or assessing the efficacy of treatments [6].
Artificial intelligence-based solutions can offer objective and consistent measures, lowering inter-observer variability and
enhancing the accuracy of diagnosis. AI can also assist in the triage process by ranking cases according to the gravity of the
results. AI can increase workflow efficiency by automatically classifying photos into urgent, less urgent, or typical scenarios,
ensuring that urgent situations are handled right away [7]. It's crucial to remember that AI is intended to complement, not
replace, healthcare personnel. AI systems serve as supporting tools, offering more data and insights to help with diagnosis.
The healthcare expert, who weighs all relevant information, the patient's past, and the clinical setting, ultimately has the last
say.
2. BREAST CANCER DETECTION
Artificial intelligence has mostly been used in the realm of medical imaging for the diagnosis of breast cancer. AI algorithms
have been developed to examine mammograms and increase the precision of diagnoses [8]. Mammography detection for breast
cancer is common [9]. By recognizing and categorizing mammography abnormalities, artificial intelligence-based approaches
*Corresponding author. Email: oluwaseun.adelaja@lasu.edu.ng
46 Adelaja et al, Mesopotamian Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Vol.2023, 45–51
can help in the early detection of breast cancer. These algorithms can examine a large number of images, and they might be able
to detect small changes in breast tissue that the human eye could miss. AI-powered solutions may lessen inter-observer variability
and steer radiologists to suspicious areas of interest, which can improve diagnosis accuracy. Prioritisation of mammography cases
for additional screening can be improved using artificial intelligence methods [10]. AI-based solutions can aid the triage process
by detecting lesions or anomalies of concern, flagging cases that need further investigation, and helping prioritise patients based
on the potential severity of their condition. Deep learning algorithms contribute to identifying areas where cancer has spread in
the breast [11]. These algorithms can handle and analyse vast amounts of data, including medical images and patient health
information, to build prediction models to assess the risk of developing this severe disease. By considering various risk factors,
including family history, age and breast density, AI-based systems can assist in identifying individuals at high risk of developing
breast cancer, enabling earlier identification and more effective treatments.
3. DIAGNOSIS OF EYE DISEASES
Artificial intelligence (AI) has a lot of potential for use in medical imaging, particularly for the diagnosis of eye problems.
Traditional eye diagnosis techniques frequently call for specialized education, practical expertise, and occasionally invasive
testing. AI-based solutions, on the other hand, can offer a non-invasive and more objective method of diagnosis. To assist in
the diagnosis of many eye disorders, AI algorithms can examine many diagnostic imaging modalities, such as fundus
photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and visual field testing [12]. These algorithms analyse the images for
patterns and look for potential anomalies, such as retinal or optic nerve damage, that may be caused by common eye disorders
like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and others. Diagnoses are more accurate, quicker,
and more precise thanks to AI-based systems that recognize emergent patterns in medical pictures using cutting-edge
machine learning algorithms and deep neural networks [13]. They can process vast numbers of photos more quickly than
humans, enabling earlier abnormality diagnosis than conventional techniques, and allowing for the administration of more
effective illness therapies to patients even before symptoms manifest. Additionally, AI algorithms have the potential to track
the development of diseases over time by observing changes in eye tissue and forecasting results [14]. AI can assist healthcare
providers in creating individualized treatment regimens for individuals by offering a more accurate and reliable technique of
disease monitoring. To diagnose eye problems, artificial intelligence (AI) is also being used in the field of ophthalmology
[27]. AI algorithms can examine patient symptoms, clinical data, and ocular imaging to aid in the spotting and identifying
of a number of eye conditions. Here is some ways AI can help with eye disease diagnosis:
• Analysis of Retinal Imaging [28]: Using methods like fundus photography or optical coherence tomography (OCT), AI
systems may examine retinal images. These algorithms can recognize and categorize several eye disorders, including
glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment. AI can highlight anomalies
or offer numerical data to help in disease diagnosis and tracking the evolution of the condition.
• Assessment of the Optic Nerve [29]: AI can examine clinical and imaging data about the optic nerve to help in the
diagnosis of diseases like glaucoma. AI algorithms can offer insights and help with the early detection and management
of glaucoma by examining several features such as the appearance of the optic nerve head, the thickness of the retinal
nerve fibre layer, and the cup-to-disc ratio.
• Corneal Disorders [30]: AI algorithms can examine data from topography or tomography scans of the cornea to help in
the identification of conditions like keratoconus, corneal dystrophies, or corneal infections.
• Refractive Error Assessments [31]: Using data from autorefractors and retinoscopes as well as other clinical data, AI
algorithms can analyse refractive faults including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism to produce more precise readings.
The prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses may benefit from this.
• Symptom Analysis [32]: Chatbots or virtual assistants powered by AI can gather and examine symptoms and risk factors
reported by patients to make early diagnoses of potential eye disorders. These virtual assistants can aid in patient triage
and recommend suitable next steps for obtaining a diagnosis and therapy.
sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease [16]. These techniques can aid radiologists in locating lesions, enhancing diagnostic
accuracy, and reducing interpretation variability. AI can be used to interpret EEG data, which is frequently used to monitor
and diagnose conditions, including epilepsy and sleep issues [17]. By analysing waveforms, spike patterns, and other EEG
characteristics, AI systems can help neurologists diagnose neurological problems by detecting specific practices associated
with certain neurological conditions. Another emerging area is the application of AI algorithms to genetic data analysis to
identify particular neurological conditions with a hereditary component, such as Huntington's disease or specific varieties of
muscular dystrophy [18][19]. AI can help create more precise and individualised diagnoses by identifying relevant genetic
variants and assessing their significance [20][21].
role. AI should be viewed as a supplement to clinical evaluations rather than as a substitute, even though it has enormous
potential to increase diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes.
7. CONCLUSIONS
If artificial intelligence is applied to enhance medical imaging detection of numerous diseases, there could be a revolution
and significant development in healthcare. Thanks to artificial intelligence algorithms' ability to analyse, interpret, and
diagnose medical images, medical professionals and hospitals can now diagnose patients more quickly. The use of artificial
intelligence to diagnose medical imaging has various benefits. It can improve the speed, accuracy, and efficacy of diagnosis,
allowing for more rapid and precise treatment decisions and shorter patient wait times. AI algorithms can also assist in the
detection of uncommon and anomalous situations and evaluate characteristics in medical imaging, increasing the precision
and dependability of diagnosis. Even though it is still in its early phases, artificial intelligence's usage in diagnosing medical
images has great potential. Further research, validation, and cooperation amongst AI programmers, developers, healthcare
professionals, and supervisors are necessary for this technology to be deployed safely and efficiently in clinical settings.
There is a lot of promise to improve patient care and accuracy by utilising artificial intelligence to enhance medical imaging
diagnostics. As technology advances, incorporating artificial intelligence into hospital and healthcare systems will pave the
way for better, more precise, more efficient healthcare services.
Funding
The authors had no institutional or sponsor backing.
Conflicts Of Interest
The author's disclosure statement confirms the absence of any conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgment
The authors extend appreciation to the institution for their unwavering support and encouragement during the course of
this research.
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