Machine learning-based multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging radiomics model for distinguishing central neurocytoma from glioma of lateral ventricle

Objectives To develop a machine learning-based radiomics model based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for preoperative discrimination between central neurocytomas (CNs) and gliomas of lateral ventricles. Methods A total of 132 patients from two medical centers were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients from the first medical center were divided into a training cohort (n = 74) and an internal validation cohort (n = 30). Patients from the second medical center were used as the external validation cohort (n = 28). Features were extracted from contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and T2-weighted images. A support vector machine was used for radiomics model investigation. Performance was evaluated using the sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The model's performance was also compared with those of three radiologists. Results The radiomics model achieved an AUC of 0.986 in the training cohort, 0.933 in the internal validation cohort, and 0.903 in the external validation cohort. In the three cohorts, the AUC values were 0.657, 0.786, and 0.708 for radiologist 1; 0.838, 0.799, and 0.790 for radiologist 2; and 0.827, 0.871, and 0.862 for radiologist 3. When assisted by the radiomics model, two radiologists improved their performance in the training cohort (p < 0.05) but not in the internal or external validation cohorts. Conclusions The machine learning radiomics model based on multiparametric MRI showed better performance for distinguishing CNs from lateral ventricular gliomas than did experienced radiologists, and it showed the potential to improve radiologist performance.