Diagnostic accuracy of different computer-aided diagnostic systems for malignant and benign thyroid nodules classification in ultrasound images: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of different computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) systems for thyroid nodules classification. METHODS: A systematic search of the literature was conducted from inception until March, 2019 using the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science, and Cochrane library. Literature selection and data extraction were conducted by 2 independent reviewers. Numerical values for sensitivity and specificity were obtained from false negative (FN), false positive (FP), true negative (TN), and true positive (TP) rates, presented alongside graphical representations with boxes marking the values and horizontal lines showing the confidence intervals (CIs). Summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves were applied to assess the performance of diagnostic tests. Data were processed using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 15. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42019132540