Standardisation of an AI-based vocal fold assessment tool on a recurrent respiratory papillomatosis model

Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2025 Aug;45(4):244-251. doi: 10.14639/0392-100X-N2896.

Abstract

Objective: The assessment of extension of papilloma growth in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) on vocal folds can be performed quantitatively utilising artificial intelligence (AI).

Methods: This study evaluated the efficacy of an AI-based annotation system, Glottis Coverage - Artificial Intelligence and Deep learning (GC-AID) in 4 patients to assess affected mucosa in white light (WL) and narrow band imaging modalities as a case-study for future applications.

Results: In healthy larynges, the mean difference between areas of the right and left vocal folds was minimal (2.6%). For patient # 4, following treatment, RRP coverage in WL decreased from 69.5% to 42.6%. A similar improvement was observed for patient # 1, while no significant benefits were noted for patients # 2 and # 3.

Conclusions: The extent of RRP was precisely measured with GC-AID before and after treatment. Obtaining objective, quantitative results was possible with frame extraction and annotation using the system described herein.

Keywords: NBI; artificial intelligence; deep learning; larynx; papillomatosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Artificial Intelligence*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Papillomavirus Infections* / diagnostic imaging
  • Papillomavirus Infections* / pathology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections* / diagnostic imaging
  • Respiratory Tract Infections* / pathology
  • Vocal Cords* / diagnostic imaging
  • Vocal Cords* / pathology

Supplementary concepts

  • Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis