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DOI: 10.1055/a-2646-2052
Artificial Intelligence Enhances Diagnostic Accuracy of Contrast Enemas in Hirschsprung Disease Compared to Clinical Experts

Abstract
Introduction
Contrast enema (CE) is widely used in the evaluation of suspected Hirschsprung disease (HD). Deep learning is a promising tool to standardize image assessment and support clinical decision-making. This study assesses the diagnostic performance of a deep neural network (DNN), with and without clinical data, and compares its interpretation with that of pediatric surgeons and radiologists.
Materials and Methods
In this retrospective study, 1,471 CE images from patients <15 years were analyzed, with 218 images used for testing. A DNN, pediatric radiologists, and surgeons independently reviewed the testing set, with and without clinical data. Diagnostic performance was assessed using ROC and PR curves, and interobserver agreement was evaluated using Fleiss' kappa. Rectal biopsy served as the reference standard.
Results
The DNN achieved high diagnostic accuracy (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC-ROC] = 0.87) in CE interpretation, with improved performance when combining anteroposterior and lateral images (AUC-ROC = 0.92). Clinical data integration further enhanced model sensitivity and negative predictive value. The super-surgeon (majority voting of colorectal surgeons) outperformed most individual clinicians (sensitivity 81.8%, specificity 79.1%), while the super-radiologist (majority voting of radiologists) showed moderate accuracy. Interobserver analysis revealed strong agreement between the model and surgeons (Cohen's kappa = 0.73), and overall consistency among experts and the model (Fleiss' kappa = 0.62).
Conclusions
Artificial intelligence-assisted CE interpretation achieved higher specificity and comparable sensitivity to that of the clinicians. Its consistent performance and substantial agreement with experts support its potential role in improving CE assessment in HD.
Keywords
Hirschsprung disease - contrast enema - artificial intelligence - deep learning - interobserver agreementPublication History
Received: 12 April 2025
Accepted: 29 June 2025
Accepted Manuscript online:
01 July 2025
Article published online:
15 July 2025
© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany
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