High-risk habitat radiomics model based on ultrasound images for predicting lateral neck lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid cancer

Abstract Background This study aims to evaluate the predictive usefulness of a habitat radiomics model based on ultrasound images for anticipating lateral neck lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), and for pinpointing high-risk habitat regions and significant radiomics...

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Main Authors: Han Liu, Chun‑Jie Hou, Min Wei, Ke‑Feng Lu, Ying Liu, Pei Du, Li‑Tao Sun, Jing‑Lan Tang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Medical Imaging
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12880-025-01551-1
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author Han Liu
Chun‑Jie Hou
Min Wei
Ke‑Feng Lu
Ying Liu
Pei Du
Li‑Tao Sun
Jing‑Lan Tang
author_facet Han Liu
Chun‑Jie Hou
Min Wei
Ke‑Feng Lu
Ying Liu
Pei Du
Li‑Tao Sun
Jing‑Lan Tang
author_sort Han Liu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background This study aims to evaluate the predictive usefulness of a habitat radiomics model based on ultrasound images for anticipating lateral neck lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), and for pinpointing high-risk habitat regions and significant radiomics traits. Methods A group of 214 patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) between August 2021 and August 2023 were included, consisting of 107 patients with confirmed postoperative lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) and 107 patients without metastasis or lateral cervical lymph node involvement. An additional cohort of 43 patients was recruited to serve as an independent external testing group for this study. Patients were randomly divided into training and internal testing group at an 8:2 ratio. Region of interest (ROI) was manually outlined, and habitat analysis subregions were defined using the K-means method. The ideal number of subregions (n = 5) was determined using the Calinski-Harabasz score, leading to the creation of a habitat radiomics model with 5 subregions and the identification of the high-risk habitat model. Area under the curve (AUC) values were calculated for all models to assess their validity, and predictive model nomograms were created by integrating clinical features. The internal and external testing dataset is employed to assess the predictive performance and stability of the model. Results In internal testing group, Habitat 3 was identified as the high-risk habitat model in the study, showing the best diagnostic efficacy among all models (AUC(CRM) vs. AUC(Habitat 3) vs. AUC(CRM + Habitat 3) = 0.84(95%CI:0.71–0.97) vs. 0.90(95%CI:0.80-1.00) vs. 0.79(95%CI:0.65–0.93)). Moreover, integrating the Habitat 3 model with clinical features and constructing nomograms enhanced the predictive capability of the combined model (AUC = 0.95(95%CI:0.88-1.00)). In this study, an independent external testing cohort was utilized to assess the model’s accuracy, yielding an AUC of 0.88 (95%CI: 0.78–0.98). Conclusion The integration of the High-Risk Habitats (Habitat 3) radiomics model with clinical characteristics demonstrated a high predictive accuracy in identifying LLNM. This model has the potential to offer valuable guidance to surgeons in deciding the necessity of LLNM dissection for DTC. Clinical trial number Not applicable.
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spelling doaj-art-17515bb91ab24687aebb5b19d090c7062025-01-19T12:43:28ZengBMCBMC Medical Imaging1471-23422025-01-0125111310.1186/s12880-025-01551-1High-risk habitat radiomics model based on ultrasound images for predicting lateral neck lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid cancerHan Liu0Chun‑Jie Hou1Min Wei2Ke‑Feng Lu3Ying Liu4Pei Du5Li‑Tao Sun6Jing‑Lan Tang7Cancer Center, Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeCancer Center, Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeCancer Center, Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeCancer Center, Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeCancer Center, Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeCancer Center, Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeCancer Center, Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeCancer Center, Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeAbstract Background This study aims to evaluate the predictive usefulness of a habitat radiomics model based on ultrasound images for anticipating lateral neck lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), and for pinpointing high-risk habitat regions and significant radiomics traits. Methods A group of 214 patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) between August 2021 and August 2023 were included, consisting of 107 patients with confirmed postoperative lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) and 107 patients without metastasis or lateral cervical lymph node involvement. An additional cohort of 43 patients was recruited to serve as an independent external testing group for this study. Patients were randomly divided into training and internal testing group at an 8:2 ratio. Region of interest (ROI) was manually outlined, and habitat analysis subregions were defined using the K-means method. The ideal number of subregions (n = 5) was determined using the Calinski-Harabasz score, leading to the creation of a habitat radiomics model with 5 subregions and the identification of the high-risk habitat model. Area under the curve (AUC) values were calculated for all models to assess their validity, and predictive model nomograms were created by integrating clinical features. The internal and external testing dataset is employed to assess the predictive performance and stability of the model. Results In internal testing group, Habitat 3 was identified as the high-risk habitat model in the study, showing the best diagnostic efficacy among all models (AUC(CRM) vs. AUC(Habitat 3) vs. AUC(CRM + Habitat 3) = 0.84(95%CI:0.71–0.97) vs. 0.90(95%CI:0.80-1.00) vs. 0.79(95%CI:0.65–0.93)). Moreover, integrating the Habitat 3 model with clinical features and constructing nomograms enhanced the predictive capability of the combined model (AUC = 0.95(95%CI:0.88-1.00)). In this study, an independent external testing cohort was utilized to assess the model’s accuracy, yielding an AUC of 0.88 (95%CI: 0.78–0.98). Conclusion The integration of the High-Risk Habitats (Habitat 3) radiomics model with clinical characteristics demonstrated a high predictive accuracy in identifying LLNM. This model has the potential to offer valuable guidance to surgeons in deciding the necessity of LLNM dissection for DTC. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12880-025-01551-1UltrasoundDifferentiated thyroid cancerRadiomicsHabitat analysisLateral cervical lymph node metastasis
spellingShingle Han Liu
Chun‑Jie Hou
Min Wei
Ke‑Feng Lu
Ying Liu
Pei Du
Li‑Tao Sun
Jing‑Lan Tang
High-risk habitat radiomics model based on ultrasound images for predicting lateral neck lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid cancer
BMC Medical Imaging
Ultrasound
Differentiated thyroid cancer
Radiomics
Habitat analysis
Lateral cervical lymph node metastasis
title High-risk habitat radiomics model based on ultrasound images for predicting lateral neck lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid cancer
title_full High-risk habitat radiomics model based on ultrasound images for predicting lateral neck lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid cancer
title_fullStr High-risk habitat radiomics model based on ultrasound images for predicting lateral neck lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid cancer
title_full_unstemmed High-risk habitat radiomics model based on ultrasound images for predicting lateral neck lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid cancer
title_short High-risk habitat radiomics model based on ultrasound images for predicting lateral neck lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid cancer
title_sort high risk habitat radiomics model based on ultrasound images for predicting lateral neck lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid cancer
topic Ultrasound
Differentiated thyroid cancer
Radiomics
Habitat analysis
Lateral cervical lymph node metastasis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12880-025-01551-1
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