Use of artificial intelligence in endoscopic ultrasound evaluation of pancreatic pathologies

Abstract

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) using deep learning and machine learning approaches in modern medicine is rapidly expanding. Within the field of Gastroenterology, AI is being evaluated across a breadth of clinical and diagnostic applications including identification of pathology, differentiation of disease processes, and even automated procedure report generation. Many pancreatic pathologies can have overlapping features creating a diagnostic dilemma that provides a window for AI-assisted improvement in current evaluation and diagnosis, particularly using endoscopic ultrasound. This topic highlight will review the basics of AI, history of AI in gastrointestinal endoscopy, and prospects for AI in the evaluation of autoimmune pancreatitis, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, chronic pancreatitis and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Deep learning; Machine learning; Convolutional neural network; Endoscopic ultrasound; Autoimmune pancreatitis; Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; Chronic pancreatitis; Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm

Core Tip: Artificial intelligence is an emerging diagnostic tool that may further aid clinicians in the current evaluation of diseases of the pancreas.