Review
- Subo Zhang1,2,3*, BS ;
- Zhitao Zhu1,2,3*, BS ;
- Zhenfei Yu1,2,3, BS ;
- Haifeng Sun1,2,3, BS ;
- Yi Sun1,2,3, BS ;
- Hai Huang1,2,3, BS ;
- Lei Xu1,2,3, BS ;
- Jinxin Wan1,2,3, BS
1Department of Medical Imaging, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
2Department of Medical Imaging, Cancer Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
3Lianyungang Clinical College, Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China
*these authors contributed equally
Corresponding Author:
Jinxin Wan, BS
Department of Medical Imaging
The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang
No 41 Hailian East Road
Lianyungang, 222000
China
Phone: 86 051885775003
Email: jxwlyg@126.com
Abstract
Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) presents a promising approach to balancing high image quality with reduced radiation exposure in computed tomography (CT) imaging.
Objective: This meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of AI in enhancing CT image quality and lowering radiation doses.
Methods: A thorough literature search was performed across several databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library, with the final update in 2024. We included studies that compared AI-based interventions to conventional CT techniques. The quality of these studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random effect models were used to pool results, and heterogeneity was measured using the I² statistic. Primary outcomes included image quality, CT dose index, and diagnostic accuracy.
Results: This meta-analysis incorporated 5 clinical validation studies published between 2022 and 2024, totaling 929 participants. Results indicated that AI-based interventions significantly improved image quality (mean difference 0.70, 95% CI 0.43-0.96; P<.001) and showed a positive trend in reducing the CT dose index, though not statistically significant (mean difference 0.47, 95% CI –0.21 to 1.15; P=.18). AI also enhanced image analysis efficiency (odds ratio 1.57, 95% CI 1.08-2.27; P=.02) and demonstrated high accuracy and sensitivity in detecting intracranial aneurysms, with low-dose CT using AI reconstruction showing noninferiority for liver lesion detection.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that AI-based interventions can significantly enhance CT imaging practices by improving image quality and potentially reducing radiation doses, which may lead to better diagnostic accuracy and patient safety. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the limited number of studies and the variability in AI algorithms. Further research is needed to clarify AI’s impact on radiation reduction and to establish clinical standards.
doi:10.2196/66622
Keywords
Introduction
Computed tomography (CT) has revolutionized medical imaging since its introduction, providing high-resolution, 3D visualizations of anatomical structures. Its widespread adoption has significantly enhanced diagnostic capabilities across various medical specialties [Kalra MK, Maher MM, Toth TL, Hamberg LM, Blake MA, Shepard J, et al. Strategies for CT radiation dose optimization. Radiology. 2004;230(3):619-628. [CrossRef] [Medline]1-Jeong G, Li F, Mitcham TM, Villa U, Duric N, Anastasio MA. Investigating the use of traveltime and reflection tomography for deep learning-based sound-speed estimation in ultrasound computed tomography. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control. 2024:1358-1376. [CrossRef] [Medline]3]. However, the increasing use of CT scans has raised concerns about radiation exposure and its potential long-term health effects on patients [Brenner DJ, Hall EJ. Computed tomography—an increasing source of radiation exposure. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(22):2277-2284. [CrossRef] [Medline]4,Lohiya N, Hussein M, Sahu AK, Aggarwal B, Maheshwari J, Iyengar KP, et al. Assessing the current role of AP and Bernageau view radiographs in measurement of glenoid bone loss in patients with recurrent shoulder dislocation: correlation with computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and arthroscopy. Skeletal Radiol. 2024. [CrossRef] [Medline]5].
Simultaneously, maintaining optimal image quality is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. This creates a challenging balance between minimizing radiation dose and preserving diagnostic image quality [McCollough CH, Primak AN, Braun N, Kofler J, Yu L, Christner J. Strategies for reducing radiation dose in CT. Radiol Clin North Am. 2009;47(1):27-40. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]6-Li W, Gong Y, Zhang J, Liu J, Li J, Fu S, et al. Construction of CXCR4 receptor-targeted CuFeSe nano theranostic platform and its application in MR/CT dual model imaging and photothermal therapy. Int J Nanomedicine. 2024;19:9213-9226. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]8]. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising solution to address the balance between maintaining high image quality and minimizing radiation dose in CT imaging [Huang X, Zhao W, Wang G, Wang Y, Li J, Li Y, et al. Improving image quality with deep learning image reconstruction in double-low-dose head CT angiography compared with standard dose and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction. Br J Radiol. 2023;96(1143):20220625. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]9-Huang H, Yan Z, Li B, Lu W, He P, Fan L, et al. LungPath: artificial intelligence–driven histologic pattern recognition for improved diagnosis of early-stage invasive lung adenocarcinoma. Transl Lung Cancer Res. 2024;13(8):1816-1827. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]11].
AI, particularly deep learning algorithms, has shown potential in various aspects of CT imaging, including image reconstruction, noise reduction, and automated image analysis [Willemink MJ, Noël PB. The evolution of image reconstruction for CT-from filtered back projection to artificial intelligence. Eur Radiol. 2019;29(5):2185-2195. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]12]. These AI-driven approaches aim to enhance image quality while allowing for lower radiation doses, potentially improving both diagnostic accuracy and patient safety [Sahiner B, Pezeshk A, Hadjiiski LM, Wang X, Drukker K, Cha KH, et al. Deep learning in medical imaging and radiation therapy. Med Phys. 2019;46(1):e1-e36. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]13].
Several studies have investigated the application of AI in CT imaging, focusing on different anatomical regions and clinical scenarios. For instance, Hu et al [Hu B, Shi Z, Lu L, Miao Z, Wang H, Zhou Z, et al. A deep-learning model for intracranial aneurysm detection on CT angiography images in China: a stepwise, multicentre, early-stage clinical validation study. Lancet Digit Health. 2024;6(4):e261-e271. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]14] explored the use of deep learning models for intracranial aneurysm detection on CT angiography images. Zhang et al [Zhang H, Zheng H, Deng R, Luo K, Duan S. Computed tomography imaging under artificial intelligence reconstruction algorithm used in recovery of sports injury of the knee anterior cruciate ligament. Contrast Media Mol Imaging. 2022;2022:1199841. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]15] investigated AI reconstruction algorithms in CT imaging of sports injuries. Other researchers have examined AI’s role in breast cancer radiotherapy planning [Ma L, Yang Y, Ma J, Mao L, Li X, Feng L, et al. Correlation between AI-based CT organ features and normal lung dose in adjuvant radiotherapy following breast-conserving surgery: a multicenter prospective study. BMC Cancer. 2023;23(1):1085. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]16] and liver CT imaging [Lee DH, Lee JM, Lee CH, Afat S, Othman A. Image quality and diagnostic performance of low-dose liver CT with deep learning reconstruction versus standard-dose CT. Radiol Artif Intell. 2024;6(2):e230192. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]17].
Despite the growing body of research, the overall effectiveness of AI in improving CT image quality and reducing radiation dose remains unclear [Hu B, Shi Z, Lu L, Miao Z, Wang H, Zhou Z, et al. A deep-learning model for intracranial aneurysm detection on CT angiography images in China: a stepwise, multicentre, early-stage clinical validation study. Lancet Digit Health. 2024;6(4):e261-e271. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]14,Lee DH, Lee JM, Lee CH, Afat S, Othman A. Image quality and diagnostic performance of low-dose liver CT with deep learning reconstruction versus standard-dose CT. Radiol Artif Intell. 2024;6(2):e230192. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]17]. The variability in study designs, AI algorithms, and outcome measures makes it challenging to draw definitive conclusions about the broader impact of AI on CT imaging practices [Shetty S, Mubarak AS, R David L, Al Jouhari MO, Talaat W, Al-Rawi N, et al. The application of mask region–based convolutional neural networks in the detection of nasal septal deviation using cone beam computed tomography images: proof-of-concept study. JMIR Form Res. 2024;8:e57335. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]18]. This meta-analysis aims to synthesize the available evidence on the role of AI in CT image quality control and radiation protection, providing a comprehensive evaluation of AI’s role across various clinical scenarios and anatomical regions. Our study contributes to the literature by offering a systematic overview of the current state of AI in CT imaging, which can inform future research directions and clinical applications.
Methods
Search Strategy and Study Selection
A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library. The search strategy used a combination of Medical Subject Headings terms and keywords related to AI, deep learning, and CT imaging. The specific search string used was as follows: (Intelligence, Artificial [Title/Abstract]) OR (Computer Reasoning [Title/Abstract]) OR (Reasoning, Computer [Title/Abstract]) OR (AI (Artificial Intelligence [Title/Abstract]) OR (Machine Intelligence [Title/Abstract])) and so on ( Detailed Search Strategy for "The Role of Artificial Intelligence in CT Image Quality Control and Radiation Protection: A Meta-Analysis".Multimedia Appendix 1
The selected databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of medical and scientific literature, ensuring a thorough retrieval of studies pertinent to our research question. The choice of these databases was also influenced by their indexing of a wide array of medical journals and conference proceedings, which are critical for capturing the latest advancements in the field of AI and CT imaging.
The search was conducted without language restrictions and conducted from the inception of the databases until the search date in 2024, to ensure inclusion of the most current and relevant studies.
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
Studies were eligible for inclusion if they met the following criteria: (1) clinical validation studies comparing AI-based interventions with conventional CT imaging techniques; (2) reported outcomes related to image quality, radiation dose, or diagnostic performance; and (3) provided sufficient data for quantitative analysis. Exclusion criteria included (1) nonclinical studies or (2) those without a control group, (3) studies focusing solely on AI development without clinical validation, (4) review articles, (5) case reports, (6) conference abstracts, and (7) studies with insufficient data for meta-analysis.
Data Extraction and Quality Assessment
Two independent reviewers extracted data from the included studies using a standardized form. The extracted information included study characteristics (author, year, and study design), sample size and patient demographics, AI intervention details, and outcome measures (image quality metrics, radiation dose indicators, and diagnostic performance).
The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for nonrandomized studies. This scale evaluates studies based on selection, comparability, and outcome domains, with a maximum score of 9 indicating the highest quality. The risk of bias for each included study was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, which provides a standardized evaluation of study quality.
Statistical Analysis
Meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager (version 5.4; The Cochrane Collaboration). For continuous outcomes (eg, image quality scores and CT dose index), mean differences with 95% CIs were calculated. For binary outcomes (eg, diagnostic accuracy), odds ratios with 95% CIs were computed.
Random effect models were used to account for potential heterogeneity among studies. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, with values of 25%, 50%, and 75% considered as low, moderate, and high heterogeneity, respectively.
Publication bias was assessed visually using funnel plots. Sensitivity analyses were conducted by sequentially removing each study to evaluate its impact on the overall effect size.
Results were considered statistically significant at P<.05. Forest plots were generated to visually represent the meta-analysis results, displaying individual study effects and the pooled effect size.
Ethical Considerations
An ethical statement is not applicable because this study is based exclusively on published literature.
Results
Study Selection and Characteristics
The initial database search yielded 835 records (PubMed: n=38, Embase: n=191, Web of Science: n=3, Science Direct: n=283, and Cochrane Library: n=320). After removing duplicates, 371 unique records remained. Following title and abstract screening, 11 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Ultimately, 5 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis (Figure 1).
The 5 included studies were all clinical validation studies published between 2022 and 2024. They encompassed a total of 929 participants (464 in the experimental AI group and 465 in the control group). The studies focused on various anatomical regions and clinical applications, including intracranial aneurysm detection [Hu B, Shi Z, Lu L, Miao Z, Wang H, Zhou Z, et al. A deep-learning model for intracranial aneurysm detection on CT angiography images in China: a stepwise, multicentre, early-stage clinical validation study. Lancet Digit Health. 2024;6(4):e261-e271. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]14], knee anterior cruciate ligament injury [Zhang H, Zheng H, Deng R, Luo K, Duan S. Computed tomography imaging under artificial intelligence reconstruction algorithm used in recovery of sports injury of the knee anterior cruciate ligament. Contrast Media Mol Imaging. 2022;2022:1199841. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]15], breast cancer radiotherapy planning [Ma L, Yang Y, Ma J, Mao L, Li X, Feng L, et al. Correlation between AI-based CT organ features and normal lung dose in adjuvant radiotherapy following breast-conserving surgery: a multicenter prospective study. BMC Cancer. 2023;23(1):1085. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]16], head CT angiography [Huang X, Zhao W, Wang G, Wang Y, Li J, Li Y, et al. Improving image quality with deep learning image reconstruction in double-low-dose head CT angiography compared with standard dose and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction. Br J Radiol. 2023;96(1143):20220625. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]9], and liver CT imaging [Lee DH, Lee JM, Lee CH, Afat S, Othman A. Image quality and diagnostic performance of low-dose liver CT with deep learning reconstruction versus standard-dose CT. Radiol Artif Intell. 2024;6(2):e230192. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]17].
All included studies used deep learning–based AI algorithms for image reconstruction or analysis. The sample sizes ranged from 60 to 14,715 participants. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale scores for the included studies ranged from 7 to 8, indicating good methodological quality (Table 1).

Author (year) | Type of invention group | Type of study | Training dataset, n | Internal validation dataset, n | External validation dataset, n | Exposure factors | NOSa score |
Hu et al [Hu B, Shi Z, Lu L, Miao Z, Wang H, Zhou Z, et al. A deep-learning model for intracranial aneurysm detection on CT angiography images in China: a stepwise, multicentre, early-stage clinical validation study. Lancet Digit Health. 2024;6(4):e261-e271. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]14] (2024) | AIb | Clinical validation study | 12,817 | 1700 | 1198 | Accuracy, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value | 7 |
Zhang et al [Zhang H, Zheng H, Deng R, Luo K, Duan S. Computed tomography imaging under artificial intelligence reconstruction algorithm used in recovery of sports injury of the knee anterior cruciate ligament. Contrast Media Mol Imaging. 2022;2022:1199841. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]15] (2022) | AI | Clinical validation study | 30 | 30 | 30 | Image quality, CTDIc volume, and dose length generation (DLPd) | 8 |
Ma et al [Ma L, Yang Y, Ma J, Mao L, Li X, Feng L, et al. Correlation between AI-based CT organ features and normal lung dose in adjuvant radiotherapy following breast-conserving surgery: a multicenter prospective study. BMC Cancer. 2023;23(1):1085. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]16] (2023) | AI | Clinical validation study | 230 | 280 | 22 | Image quality | 8 |
Huang et al [Huang X, Zhao W, Wang G, Wang Y, Li J, Li Y, et al. Improving image quality with deep learning image reconstruction in double-low-dose head CT angiography compared with standard dose and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction. Br J Radiol. 2023;96(1143):20220625. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]9] (2023) | AI | Clinical validation study | 63 | 38 | 25 | CTDI, CMe dose, and image quality | 7 |
Lee et al [Lee DH, Lee JM, Lee CH, Afat S, Othman A. Image quality and diagnostic performance of low-dose liver CT with deep learning reconstruction versus standard-dose CT. Radiol Artif Intell. 2024;6(2):e230192. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]17] (2024) | AI | Clinical validation study | 296 | 246 | 90 | CT image noise level and diagnostic performance | 8 |
aNOS: Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
bAI: artificial intelligence.
cCTDI: computed tomography dose index.
dDLP: dose length product.
eCM: contrast medium.
Risk-of-Bias Assessment
Overview
The risk of bias for each included study was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Figure 2 presents the risk of bias graph, showing the distribution of judgments across all included studies for each domain. Random sequence generation (selection bias) was assessed as having a low risk in 40% (2/5) of studies and unclear risk in 60% (3/5). Allocation concealment was judged as low risk in 80% (4/5) of studies and unclear in 20% (1/5). The blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) was unanimously assessed as an unclear risk across all studies. Blinding outcome assessment (detection bias) was determined to be low risk in 80% (4/5) of studies and unclear in 20% (1/5). Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) were consistently judged as low risk across all studies. Selective reporting (reporting bias) was assessed as low risk in 40% (2/5) of studies and unclear in 60% (3/5). Other bias was unanimously judged as unclear across all studies.
Figure 3 [Huang X, Zhao W, Wang G, Wang Y, Li J, Li Y, et al. Improving image quality with deep learning image reconstruction in double-low-dose head CT angiography compared with standard dose and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction. Br J Radiol. 2023;96(1143):20220625. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]9,Hu B, Shi Z, Lu L, Miao Z, Wang H, Zhou Z, et al. A deep-learning model for intracranial aneurysm detection on CT angiography images in China: a stepwise, multicentre, early-stage clinical validation study. Lancet Digit Health. 2024;6(4):e261-e271. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]14-Lee DH, Lee JM, Lee CH, Afat S, Othman A. Image quality and diagnostic performance of low-dose liver CT with deep learning reconstruction versus standard-dose CT. Radiol Artif Intell. 2024;6(2):e230192. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]17] presents a comprehensive risk-of-bias summary for each study included in the analysis. Several key observations can be made from this summary. Notably, all 5 studies demonstrated a low risk for incomplete outcome data, indicating robust data collection and reporting practices. However, the blinding of participants and personnel was unclear across all studies, which is a common limitation in imaging studies where complete blinding can be challenging to achieve. Random sequence generation was assessed as low risk in 3 (60%) out of the 5 studies, suggesting generally sound randomization practices were used. Interestingly, the “other bias” category was consistently rated as unclear for all studies, pointing to potential unidentified sources of bias that may warrant further investigation. Finally, there was considerable variability in the assessment of selective reporting and blinding of outcome assessment across the studies, highlighting areas where methodological consistency could be improved in future research.


Image Quality
All 5 studies reported on image quality outcomes. The meta-analysis showed a significant improvement in image quality with AI-based interventions compared to conventional methods (mean difference 0.70, 95% CI 0.43-0.96; P<.001; Figure 4 [Huang X, Zhao W, Wang G, Wang Y, Li J, Li Y, et al. Improving image quality with deep learning image reconstruction in double-low-dose head CT angiography compared with standard dose and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction. Br J Radiol. 2023;96(1143):20220625. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]9,Hu B, Shi Z, Lu L, Miao Z, Wang H, Zhou Z, et al. A deep-learning model for intracranial aneurysm detection on CT angiography images in China: a stepwise, multicentre, early-stage clinical validation study. Lancet Digit Health. 2024;6(4):e261-e271. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]14-Lee DH, Lee JM, Lee CH, Afat S, Othman A. Image quality and diagnostic performance of low-dose liver CT with deep learning reconstruction versus standard-dose CT. Radiol Artif Intell. 2024;6(2):e230192. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]17]). There was moderate heterogeneity among the studies (I²=39%), suggesting some variability in the effect of AI on image quality across different clinical contexts.
The largest effects were observed in the studies by Hu et al [Hu B, Shi Z, Lu L, Miao Z, Wang H, Zhou Z, et al. A deep-learning model for intracranial aneurysm detection on CT angiography images in China: a stepwise, multicentre, early-stage clinical validation study. Lancet Digit Health. 2024;6(4):e261-e271. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]14] and Lee et al [Lee DH, Lee JM, Lee CH, Afat S, Othman A. Image quality and diagnostic performance of low-dose liver CT with deep learning reconstruction versus standard-dose CT. Radiol Artif Intell. 2024;6(2):e230192. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]17], which focused on intracranial aneurysm detection and liver CT imaging, respectively. These studies carried the highest weights in the analysis (27.6% and 33.8%, respectively).

CT Dose Index
Three studies [Huang X, Zhao W, Wang G, Wang Y, Li J, Li Y, et al. Improving image quality with deep learning image reconstruction in double-low-dose head CT angiography compared with standard dose and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction. Br J Radiol. 2023;96(1143):20220625. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]9,Zhang H, Zheng H, Deng R, Luo K, Duan S. Computed tomography imaging under artificial intelligence reconstruction algorithm used in recovery of sports injury of the knee anterior cruciate ligament. Contrast Media Mol Imaging. 2022;2022:1199841. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]15,Lee DH, Lee JM, Lee CH, Afat S, Othman A. Image quality and diagnostic performance of low-dose liver CT with deep learning reconstruction versus standard-dose CT. Radiol Artif Intell. 2024;6(2):e230192. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]17] reported data on the CT dose index. The meta-analysis showed a trend toward reduction in CT dose index with AI-based interventions, but the result was not statistically significant (mean difference 0.47, 95% CI –0.21 to 1.15; P=.18; Figure 5 [Huang X, Zhao W, Wang G, Wang Y, Li J, Li Y, et al. Improving image quality with deep learning image reconstruction in double-low-dose head CT angiography compared with standard dose and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction. Br J Radiol. 2023;96(1143):20220625. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]9,Hu B, Shi Z, Lu L, Miao Z, Wang H, Zhou Z, et al. A deep-learning model for intracranial aneurysm detection on CT angiography images in China: a stepwise, multicentre, early-stage clinical validation study. Lancet Digit Health. 2024;6(4):e261-e271. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]14-Lee DH, Lee JM, Lee CH, Afat S, Othman A. Image quality and diagnostic performance of low-dose liver CT with deep learning reconstruction versus standard-dose CT. Radiol Artif Intell. 2024;6(2):e230192. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]17]). There was high heterogeneity among these studies (I²=87%), indicating substantial variability in the effect of AI on radiation dose across different applications.
The study by Zhang et al [Zhang H, Zheng H, Deng R, Luo K, Duan S. Computed tomography imaging under artificial intelligence reconstruction algorithm used in recovery of sports injury of the knee anterior cruciate ligament. Contrast Media Mol Imaging. 2022;2022:1199841. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]15] showed the largest effect size in favor of AI, while Lee et al [Lee DH, Lee JM, Lee CH, Afat S, Othman A. Image quality and diagnostic performance of low-dose liver CT with deep learning reconstruction versus standard-dose CT. Radiol Artif Intell. 2024;6(2):e230192. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]17] reported almost no difference between the AI and conventional groups.

Efficiency in Image Analysis
All 5 studies provided data on the efficiency of AI in image analysis. The meta-analysis demonstrated a significant improvement in efficiency with AI-based methods compared to conventional approaches (odds ratio 1.57, 95% CI 1.08-2.27; P=.02; Figure 6 [Huang X, Zhao W, Wang G, Wang Y, Li J, Li Y, et al. Improving image quality with deep learning image reconstruction in double-low-dose head CT angiography compared with standard dose and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction. Br J Radiol. 2023;96(1143):20220625. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]9,Hu B, Shi Z, Lu L, Miao Z, Wang H, Zhou Z, et al. A deep-learning model for intracranial aneurysm detection on CT angiography images in China: a stepwise, multicentre, early-stage clinical validation study. Lancet Digit Health. 2024;6(4):e261-e271. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]14-Lee DH, Lee JM, Lee CH, Afat S, Othman A. Image quality and diagnostic performance of low-dose liver CT with deep learning reconstruction versus standard-dose CT. Radiol Artif Intell. 2024;6(2):e230192. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]17]). There was no significant heterogeneity among the studies for this outcome (I²=0%).
The study by Lee et al [Lee DH, Lee JM, Lee CH, Afat S, Othman A. Image quality and diagnostic performance of low-dose liver CT with deep learning reconstruction versus standard-dose CT. Radiol Artif Intell. 2024;6(2):e230192. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]17] had the largest weight (39.7%) in this analysis, likely due to its larger sample size. All studies showed an odds ratio favoring the AI group, although the precision of the estimates varied, with wider confidence intervals observed in smaller studies.

Diagnostic Performance
While not all studies reported on diagnostic performance metrics, those that did showed promising results. Hu et al [Hu B, Shi Z, Lu L, Miao Z, Wang H, Zhou Z, et al. A deep-learning model for intracranial aneurysm detection on CT angiography images in China: a stepwise, multicentre, early-stage clinical validation study. Lancet Digit Health. 2024;6(4):e261-e271. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]14] reported high accuracy (0.951), sensitivity (0.974), and specificity (0.928) for their AI model in detecting intracranial aneurysms. Lee et al [Lee DH, Lee JM, Lee CH, Afat S, Othman A. Image quality and diagnostic performance of low-dose liver CT with deep learning reconstruction versus standard-dose CT. Radiol Artif Intell. 2024;6(2):e230192. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]17] found that the diagnostic performance of low-dose CT with AI reconstruction was noninferior to standard-dose CT for liver lesion detection.
Publication Bias
Visual inspection of the funnel plot (Figure 7 [Huang X, Zhao W, Wang G, Wang Y, Li J, Li Y, et al. Improving image quality with deep learning image reconstruction in double-low-dose head CT angiography compared with standard dose and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction. Br J Radiol. 2023;96(1143):20220625. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]9,Hu B, Shi Z, Lu L, Miao Z, Wang H, Zhou Z, et al. A deep-learning model for intracranial aneurysm detection on CT angiography images in China: a stepwise, multicentre, early-stage clinical validation study. Lancet Digit Health. 2024;6(4):e261-e271. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]14-Lee DH, Lee JM, Lee CH, Afat S, Othman A. Image quality and diagnostic performance of low-dose liver CT with deep learning reconstruction versus standard-dose CT. Radiol Artif Intell. 2024;6(2):e230192. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]17]) did not reveal substantial asymmetry, suggesting a low risk of publication bias. However, the small number of included studies limits the reliability of this assessment.

Discussion
Principal Findings
This meta-analysis synthesized evidence from 5 clinical validation studies to evaluate the role of AI in CT image quality control and radiation protection. The findings suggest that AI-based interventions can significantly improve CT image quality and efficiency in image analysis, with a potential trend toward radiation dose reduction.
The significant improvement in image quality observed with AI-based interventions (mean difference 0.70, 95% CI 0.43-0.96; P<.001) is a key finding of this meta-analysis. This improvement was consistent across different anatomical regions and clinical applications, suggesting that AI algorithms have broad applicability in enhancing CT image quality. The enhanced image quality achieved through AI could have substantial clinical implications. Improved image clarity and detail may lead to more accurate diagnoses, potentially reducing the need for repeat scans or additional imaging studies [Yasaka K, Abe O. Deep learning and artificial intelligence in radiology: current applications and future directions. PLoS Med. 2018;15(11):e1002707. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]19]. This, in turn, could contribute to reduced overall radiation exposure for patients and improved workflow efficiency in radiology departments.
While the meta-analysis showed a trend toward CT dose index reduction with AI-based interventions, the result was not statistically significant (mean difference 0.47, 95% CI –0.21 to 1.15; P=.18). The lack of statistical significance does not necessarily imply that AI has no effect on radiation dose reduction. Rather, it highlights the need for further research to elucidate the factors influencing AI’s impact on radiation dose across different CT applications. It is possible that some AI algorithms are more effective at dose reduction than others, or that dose reduction capabilities may be more pronounced in certain anatomical regions or clinical scenarios [Greffier J, Hamard A, Pereira F, Barrau C, Pasquier H, Beregi JP, et al. Image quality and dose reduction opportunity of deep learning image reconstruction algorithm for CT: a phantom study. Eur Radiol. 2020;30(7):3951-3959. [CrossRef] [Medline]20].
Moreover, the trend toward dose reduction, even if not statistically significant, is encouraging. When combined with the significant improvements in image quality, these findings suggest that AI may enable a favorable shift in the balance between image quality and radiation dose in CT imaging [Yao Y, Guo B, Li J, Yang Q, Li X, Deng L. The influence of a deep learning image reconstruction algorithm on the image quality and auto-analysis of pulmonary nodules at ultra-low dose chest CT: a phantom study. Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2022;12(5):2777-2791. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]21].
The significant improvement in the efficiency of image analysis with AI-based methods (odds ratio 1.57, 95% CI 1.08-2.27; P=.02) is another important finding of this meta-analysis. This improvement in efficiency could have far-reaching implications for radiology workflows and patient care. Faster image analysis times could lead to reduced reporting turnaround times, potentially enabling quicker clinical decision-making and treatment initiation [Hosny A, Parmar C, Quackenbush J, Schwartz LH, Aerts HJWL. Artificial intelligence in radiology. Nat Rev Cancer. 2018;18(8):500-510. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]22]. Additionally, improved efficiency could help address the growing demand for CT imaging services and the increasing workload on radiologists [European Society of Radiology (ESR). What the radiologist should know about artificial intelligence—an ESR white paper. Insights Imaging. 2019;10(1):44. [CrossRef] [Medline]23]. The lack of heterogeneity (I²=0%) in this analysis suggests that the efficiency gains with AI are consistent across different applications. This consistency is particularly noteworthy given the diversity of clinical scenarios represented in the included studies.
Comparison With Prior Work
While not all studies reported comprehensive diagnostic performance metrics, those that did showed promising results. The high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity reported by Hu et al [Hu B, Shi Z, Lu L, Miao Z, Wang H, Zhou Z, et al. A deep-learning model for intracranial aneurysm detection on CT angiography images in China: a stepwise, multicentre, early-stage clinical validation study. Lancet Digit Health. 2024;6(4):e261-e271. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]14] for intracranial aneurysm detection, as well as the noninferiority of low-dose CT with AI reconstruction for liver lesion detection reported by Lee et al [Lee DH, Lee JM, Lee CH, Afat S, Othman A. Image quality and diagnostic performance of low-dose liver CT with deep learning reconstruction versus standard-dose CT. Radiol Artif Intell. 2024;6(2):e230192. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]17], suggest that AI can maintain or even enhance diagnostic performance while potentially reducing radiation dose. These findings align with previous studies that have demonstrated the potential of AI to improve diagnostic accuracy in various imaging modalities [Litjens G, Kooi T, Bejnordi BE, Setio AAA, Ciompi F, Ghafoorian M, et al. A survey on deep learning in medical image analysis. Med Image Anal. 2017;42:60-88. [CrossRef] [Medline]24]. The combination of improved image quality, potential dose reduction, and maintained or enhanced diagnostic performance positions AI as a powerful tool for advancing CT imaging practices.
The principle of action by which AI, particularly deep learning algorithms, enhances CT image quality is multifaceted. First, AI-driven approaches use advanced computational techniques to reconstruct images from raw data, optimizing the balance between image sharpness and noise reduction. This is achieved through the use of convolutional neural networks that learn to identify and enhance features of interest while suppressing background noise, leading to clearer and more detailed images [Litjens G, Kooi T, Bejnordi BE, Setio AAA, Ciompi F, Ghafoorian M, et al. A survey on deep learning in medical image analysis. Med Image Anal. 2017;42:60-88. [CrossRef] [Medline]24]. Second, AI algorithms can adaptively adjust image reconstruction parameters based on the specific characteristics of the scanned tissue, resulting in improved contrast resolution and better visualization of anatomical structures. Third, AI-based techniques offer the capability for automated image analysis, which can standardize the interpretation process and reduce interobserver variability, thereby contributing to more accurate and consistent diagnostic outcomes [Hosny A, Parmar C, Quackenbush J, Schwartz LH, Aerts HJWL. Artificial intelligence in radiology. Nat Rev Cancer. 2018;18(8):500-510. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]22]. These mechanisms collectively contribute to the significant improvement in image quality observed in our meta-analysis, underscoring the potential of AI to revolutionize CT imaging practices by enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient safety.
Strengths and Limitations
Several limitations of this meta-analysis should be noted. First, the small number of included studies limits the generalizability of the findings and precludes more detailed subgroup analyses. Second, the heterogeneity in AI algorithms, CT protocols, and outcome measures across studies made direct comparisons challenging. Third, the lack of long-term, follow-up data in the included studies means that the potential long-term impacts of AI-enhanced CT imaging on patient outcomes remain unclear. Future research should focus on larger, multicenter studies with standardized protocols and outcome measures to more definitively establish the impact of AI on CT image quality and radiation dose [Gillan C, Hodges B, Wiljer D, Dobrow M. Health care professional association agency in preparing for artificial intelligence: protocol for a multi-case study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2021;10(5):e27340. [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]25]. Long-term studies are needed to assess the clinical impact of AI-enhanced CT imaging on patient outcomes and radiation-induced cancer risk. Additionally, research into the cost-effectiveness of implementing AI in CT imaging workflows would be valuable for health care systems considering the adoption of these technologies.
Conclusions
This meta-analysis provides evidence that AI-based interventions can significantly improve CT image quality and efficiency in image analysis, with the potential for radiation dose reduction. These findings suggest a promising role for AI in enhancing CT imaging practices, potentially leading to improved diagnostic accuracy, reduced radiation exposure, and enhanced patient care. As AI technologies continue to evolve, their integration into CT imaging workflows may become increasingly important in addressing the ongoing challenges of balancing image quality, radiation safety, and diagnostic accuracy.
Acknowledgments
The fundings for this study were provided by The Health Science and Technology Project of the Lianyungang Health Commission(202325)and The Scientific Research Project of the Lianyungang Anti-Cancer Association (MS202312)
Data Availability
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this paper. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.
Authors' Contributions
JW and YS conceived the study, and SZ, ZZ, ZY, HS, HH, and LX participated in its design and data analysis and statistics. SZ and ZZ helped to draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflicts of Interest
None declared.
Multimedia Appendix 1
Detailed Search Strategy for "The Role of Artificial Intelligence in CT Image Quality Control and Radiation Protection: A Meta-Analysis".
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Abbreviations
AI: artificial intelligence |
CT: computed tomography |
PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses |
Edited by A Coristine; submitted 20.09.24; peer-reviewed by X Gu, L-T Qian; comments to author 22.10.24; revised version received 27.11.24; accepted 16.12.24; published 27.02.25.
Copyright©Subo Zhang, Zhitao Zhu, Zhenfei Yu, Haifeng Sun, Yi Sun, Hai Huang, Lei Xu, Jinxin Wan. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 27.02.2025.
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