In a study published in npj Digital Medicine, the AI model outperformed radiologists in checking CT scans for objects that don’t show up well on scans. The paper is titled “Automated Detection of Radiolucent Foreign Body Aspiration on Chest CT Using Deep Learning.”

These accidentally inhaled objects can cause coughing, choking, difficulty breathing and sometimes lead to more serious complications if not treated properly.

The findings highlight how AI can support doctors in diagnosing complex and potentially life-threatening conditions.

The research has been led by Dr. Yihua Wang, Dr. Zehor Belkhatir, and Prof Rob Ewing at the University of Southampton in partnership with researchers from Wuhan, China.