A CT-Based Radiomics Nomogram for Preoperative Prediction of Lymph Node Metastasis in Periampullary Carcinomas

Abstract

PurposeTo establish and validate a radiomics nomogram for preoperatively predicting lymph node (LN) metastasis in periampullary carcinomas.Materials and MethodsA total of 122 patients with periampullary carcinoma were assigned into a training set (n = 85) and a validation set (n = 37). The preoperative CT radiomics of all patients were retrospectively assessed and the radiomic features were extracted from portal venous-phase images. The one-way analysis of variance test and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression were used for feature selection. A radiomics signature was constructed with logistic regression algorithm, and the radiomics score was calculated. Multivariate logistic regression model integrating independent risk factors was adopted to develop a radiomics nomogram. The performance of the radiomics nomogram was assessed by its calibration, discrimination, and clinical utility with independent validation.ResultsThe radiomics signature, constructed by seven selected features, was closely related to LN metastasis in the training set (p < 0.001) and validation set (p = 0.017). The radiomics nomogram that incorporated radiomics signature and CT-reported LN status demonstrated favorable calibration and discrimination in the training set [area under the curve (AUC), 0.853] and validation set (AUC, 0.853). The decision curve indicated the clinical utility of our nomogram.ConclusionOur CT-based radiomics nomogram, incorporating radiomics signature and CT-reported LN status, could be an individualized and non-invasive tool for preoperative prediction of LN metastasis in periampullary carcinomas, which might assist clinical decision making.