Deep learning algorithm to evaluate cervical spondylotic myelopathy using lateral cervical spine radiograph

BACKGROUND: Deep learning (DL) is an advanced machine learning approach used in different areas such as image analysis, bioinformatics, and natural language processing. A convolutional neural network (CNN) is a representative DL model that is highly advantageous for imaging recognition and classification This study aimed to develop a CNN using lateral cervical spine radiograph to detect cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). METHODS: We retrospectively recruited 207 patients who visited the spine center of a university hospital. Of them, 96 had CSM (CSM patients) while 111 did not have CSM (non-CSM patients). CNN algorithm was used to detect cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Of the included patients, 70% (145 images) were assigned randomly to the training set, while the remaining 30% (62 images) to the test set to measure the model performance. RESULTS: The accuracy of detecting CSM was 87.1%, and the area under the curve was 0.864 (95% CI, 0.780-0.949). CONCLUSION: The CNN model using the lateral cervical spine radiographs of each patient could be helpful in the diagnosis of CSM.