Smart automatic lung scan analysis for better treatment decisions for chronic lung diseases

This project develops SPIDER, a digital tool that converts lung scans into clear, quantitative reports. By providing objective metrics measuring lung damage, SPIDER supports doctors in selecting the most appropriate treatment for patients with chronic lung disease. The project is a collaboration between Thirona, an innovative Dutch health technology company, and the University Medical Center Groningen, combining technological expertise with clinical experience.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects over 537,000 people in the Netherlands and is one of the leading causes of disease burden. It results in more than 25,000 hospital admissions annually and disproportionately affects people with lower socioeconomic status. For patients with severe symptoms, advanced treatments such as lung volume reduction can significantly improve quality of life. However, selecting the right patients for these treatments is complex and currently depends on subjective interpretation of lung scans, leading to variation in care and missed opportunities for optimal treatment.

SPIDER addresses this challenge by using artificial intelligence to analyse lung CT scans and translate them into structured, quantitative reports. These reports provide detailed and objective information on lung damage, compared with healthy reference values adjusted for age and sex. The system will be tested using existing scans from approximately 1,030 patients previously evaluated in multidisciplinary COPD teams. Feedback from clinicians will be used to refine the system and ensure it fits clinical practice.