Convolution neural network for the diagnosis of wireless capsule endoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) is considered to be a powerful instrument for the diagnosis of intestine diseases. Convolution neural network (CNN) is a type of artificial intelligence that has the potential to assist the detection of WCE images. We aimed to perform a systematic review of the current research progress to the CNN application in WCE. METHODS: A search in PubMed, SinoMed, and Web of Science was conducted to collect all original publications about CNN implementation in WCE. Assessment of the risk of bias was performed by Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 risk list. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated by an exact binominal rendition of the bivariate mixed-effects regression model. I(2) was used for the evaluation of heterogeneity. RESULTS: 16 articles with 23 independent studies were included. CNN application to WCE was divided into detection on erosion/ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding (GI bleeding), and polyps/cancer. The pooled sensitivity of CNN for erosion/ulcer is 0.96 [95% CI 0.91, 0.98], for GI bleeding is 0.97 (95% CI 0.93–0.99), and for polyps/cancer is 0.97 (95% CI 0.82–0.99). The corresponding specificity of CNN for erosion/ulcer is 0.97 (95% CI 0.93–0.99), for GI bleeding is 1.00 (95% CI 0.99–1.00), and for polyps/cancer is 0.98 (95% CI 0.92–0.99). CONCLUSION: Based on our meta-analysis, CNN-dependent diagnosis of erosion/ulcer, GI bleeding, and polyps/cancer approached a high-level performance because of its high sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, future perspective, CNN has the potential to become an important assistant for the diagnosis of WCE. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00464-021-08689-3.