Automatic Identification of Papillary Projections in Indeterminate Biliary Strictures Using Digital Single-Operator Cholangioscopy

Characterization of biliary strictures is challenging. Papillary projections (PP) are often reported in biliary strictures with high malignancy potential during digital single-operator cholangioscopy. In recent years, the development of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for application to endoscopic practice has been intensely studied. We aimed to develop an AI algorithm for automatic detection of PP in digital single-operator cholangioscopy images. METHODS: A convolutional neural network (CNN) was developed. Each frame was evaluated for the presence of PP. The CNN's performance was measured by the area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS: A total of 3,920 images from 85 patients were included. Our model had a sensitivity and specificity 99.7% and 97.1%, respectively. The area under the curve was 1.00. DISCUSSION: Our CNN was able to detect PP with high accuracy. Future development of AI tools may optimize the macroscopic characterization of biliary strictures.