The Detection of Nasopharyngeal Carcinomas Using a Neural Network Based on Nasopharyngoscopic Images

Objective To construct and validate a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN)‐based artificial intelligence (AI) system for the detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) using archived nasopharyngoscopic images. Methods We retrospectively collected 14107 nasopharyngoscopic images (7108 NPCs and 6999 noncancers) to construct a DCNN model and prepared a validation dataset containing 3501 images (1744 NPCs and 1757 noncancers) from a single center between January 2009 and December 2020. The DCNN model was established using the You Only Look Once (YOLOv5) architecture. Four otolaryngologists were asked to review the images of the validation set to benchmark the DCNN model performance. Results The DCNN model analyzed the 3501 images in 69.35 s. For the validation dataset, the precision, recall, accuracy, and F1 score of the DCNN model in the detection of NPCs on white light imaging (WLI) and narrow band imaging (NBI) were 0.845 ± 0.038, 0.942 ± 0.021, 0.920 ± 0.024, and 0.890 ± 0.045, and 0.895 ± 0.045, 0.941 ± 0.018, and 0.975 ± 0.013, 0.918 ± 0.036, respectively. The diagnostic outcome of the DCNN model on WLI and NBI images was significantly higher than that of two junior otolaryngologists ( p < 0.05). Conclusion The DCNN model showed better diagnostic outcomes for NPCs than those of junior otolaryngologists. Therefore, it could assist them in improving their diagnostic level and reducing missed diagnoses. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope , 134:127–135, 2024