Deep neural networks analysis of 18F-FDG PET imaging in postoperative patients with temporal lobe epilepsy
Objective To predict the short-term postoperative recurrence status of patients with re-fractory temporal lobe epilepsy(TLE)by analyzing preoperative 18F-FDG PET images and patients'clinical characteristics based on deep residual neural network(ResNet).Methods Retrospective analysis was con-ducted on preoperative 18F-FDG PET images and clinical data of 220 patients with refractory TLE(132 males and 88 females,age 23.0(20.0,30.2)years))in the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University between January 2014 and June 2020.ResNet was used to perform high-throughput feature extraction on preprocessed PET images and clinical features,and to perform a postoperative recurrence prediction task for differentia-ting patients with TLE.The predictive performance of ResNet model was evaluated by ROC curve analysis,and the AUC was compared with that of classical Cox proportional risk model using Delong test.Results Based on PET images combined with clinical feature training,AUCs of the ResNet in predicting 12-,24-,and 36-month postoperative recurrence were 0.895±0.073,0.861±0.058 and 0.754±0.111,respectively,which were 0.717±0.093,0.697±0.081 and 0.645±0.087 for Cox proportional hazards model respectively(z values:-3.00,-2.98,-1.09,P values:0.011,0.018,0.310).The ResNet showed best predictive effect for recurrence events within 12 months after surgery.Conclusion The ResNet model is expected to be used in clinical practice for postoperative follow-up of patients with TLE,helping for risk stratification and indi-vidualized management of postoperative patients.