An Overview of Artificial Intelligence Applications in Liver and Pancreatic Imaging

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining more and more attention in radiology. The efficiency of AI-based algorithms to solve specific problems is, in some cases, far superior compared to human-driven approaches. This is particularly evident in some repetitive tasks, such as segmentation, where AI usually outperforms manual approaches. AI may be also used in quantification where it can provide, for example, fast and efficient longitudinal follow up in liver tumour burden. AI, thanks to the association with radiomic and big data, may also suggest a diagnosis. Finally, AI algorithms can also reduce scan time, increase image quality and, in the case of computed tomography, reduce patient dose. ABSTRACT: Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most promising fields of research in medical imaging so far. By means of specific algorithms, it can be used to help radiologists in their routine workflow. There are several papers that describe AI approaches to solve different problems in liver and pancreatic imaging. These problems may be summarized in four different categories: segmentation, quantification, characterization and image quality improvement. Segmentation is usually the first step of successive elaborations. If done manually, it is a time-consuming process. Therefore, the semi-automatic and automatic creation of a liver or a pancreatic mask may save time for other evaluations, such as quantification of various parameters, from organs volume to their textural features. The alterations of normal liver and pancreas structure may give a clue to the presence of a diffuse or focal pathology. AI can be trained to recognize these alterations and propose a diagnosis, which may then be confirmed or not by radiologists. Finally, AI may be applied in medical image reconstruction in order to increase image quality, decrease dose administration (referring to computed tomography) and reduce scan times. In this article, we report the state of the art of AI applications in these four main categories.