A multi-module enhanced YOLOv8 framework for accurate AO classification of distal radius fractures: SCFAST-YOLO

IntroductionCT-based classification of distal ulnar-radius fractures requires precise detection of subtle features for surgical planning, yet existing methods struggle to balance accuracy with clinical efficiency. This study aims to develop a lightweight architecture that achieves accurate AO (Arbei...

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Main Authors: Yu Wang, Haifu Sun, Tiankai Jiang, JunFeng Shi, Qin Wang, Hongwei Yang, Yusen Qiao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1635016/full
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author Yu Wang
Haifu Sun
Tiankai Jiang
JunFeng Shi
JunFeng Shi
Qin Wang
Qin Wang
Hongwei Yang
Hongwei Yang
Yusen Qiao
author_facet Yu Wang
Haifu Sun
Tiankai Jiang
JunFeng Shi
JunFeng Shi
Qin Wang
Qin Wang
Hongwei Yang
Hongwei Yang
Yusen Qiao
author_sort Yu Wang
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionCT-based classification of distal ulnar-radius fractures requires precise detection of subtle features for surgical planning, yet existing methods struggle to balance accuracy with clinical efficiency. This study aims to develop a lightweight architecture that achieves accurate AO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen) typing[an internationally recognized fracture classification system based on fracture location, degree of joint surface involvement, and comminution, divided into three major categories: A (extra-articular), B (partially intra-articular), and C (completely intra-articular)] while maintaining real-time performance. In this task, the major challenges are capturing complex fracture morphologies without compromising detection speed and ensuring precise identification of small articular fragments critical for surgical decision-making.MethodsWe propose SCFAST-YOLO framework to address these challenges. Its first contribution is introducing the SCConv module, which integrates Spatial and Channel Reconstruction Units to systematically reduce feature redundancy while preserving discriminative information essential for detecting subtle articular fragments. Secondly, we develop the C2f-Faster-EMA module that preserves fine-grained spatial details through optimized information pathways and statistical feature aggregation. Third, our Feature-Driven Pyramid Network facilitates multi-resolution feature fusion across scales for improved detection. Finally, we implement a Target-Aware Dual Detection Head that employs task decomposition to enhance localization precision.Results and discussionEvaluated on our FHSU-DRF dataset (332 cases, 1,456 CT sequences), SCFAST-YOLO achieves 91.8% mAP@0.5 and 87.2% classification accuracy for AO types, surpassing baseline YOLOv8 by 2.1 and 2.3 percentage points respectively. The most significant improvements appear in complex Type C fractures (3.2 percentage points higher classification accuracy) with consistent average recall of 0.85–0.88 across all fracture patterns. The model maintains real-time inference (52.3 FPS) while reducing parameters, making it clinically viable. Extensive qualitative and quantitative results demonstrate the advantages of our approach. Additionally, we show the broader clinical applications of SCFAST-YOLO in enhancing consistency and efficiency in trauma care.
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spelling doaj-art-d051c8a50aa34d62a941cb83a879788c2025-08-20T05:32:49ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2025-08-011210.3389/fmed.2025.16350161635016A multi-module enhanced YOLOv8 framework for accurate AO classification of distal radius fractures: SCFAST-YOLOYu Wang0Haifu Sun1Tiankai Jiang2JunFeng Shi3JunFeng Shi4Qin Wang5Qin Wang6Hongwei Yang7Hongwei Yang8Yusen Qiao9Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, ChinaSchool of medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, Nantong Third People's Hospital, Nantong, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, Nantong Third People's Hospital, Nantong, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, Nantong Third People's Hospital, Nantong, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, ChinaIntroductionCT-based classification of distal ulnar-radius fractures requires precise detection of subtle features for surgical planning, yet existing methods struggle to balance accuracy with clinical efficiency. This study aims to develop a lightweight architecture that achieves accurate AO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen) typing[an internationally recognized fracture classification system based on fracture location, degree of joint surface involvement, and comminution, divided into three major categories: A (extra-articular), B (partially intra-articular), and C (completely intra-articular)] while maintaining real-time performance. In this task, the major challenges are capturing complex fracture morphologies without compromising detection speed and ensuring precise identification of small articular fragments critical for surgical decision-making.MethodsWe propose SCFAST-YOLO framework to address these challenges. Its first contribution is introducing the SCConv module, which integrates Spatial and Channel Reconstruction Units to systematically reduce feature redundancy while preserving discriminative information essential for detecting subtle articular fragments. Secondly, we develop the C2f-Faster-EMA module that preserves fine-grained spatial details through optimized information pathways and statistical feature aggregation. Third, our Feature-Driven Pyramid Network facilitates multi-resolution feature fusion across scales for improved detection. Finally, we implement a Target-Aware Dual Detection Head that employs task decomposition to enhance localization precision.Results and discussionEvaluated on our FHSU-DRF dataset (332 cases, 1,456 CT sequences), SCFAST-YOLO achieves 91.8% mAP@0.5 and 87.2% classification accuracy for AO types, surpassing baseline YOLOv8 by 2.1 and 2.3 percentage points respectively. The most significant improvements appear in complex Type C fractures (3.2 percentage points higher classification accuracy) with consistent average recall of 0.85–0.88 across all fracture patterns. The model maintains real-time inference (52.3 FPS) while reducing parameters, making it clinically viable. Extensive qualitative and quantitative results demonstrate the advantages of our approach. Additionally, we show the broader clinical applications of SCFAST-YOLO in enhancing consistency and efficiency in trauma care.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1635016/fulldistal radius fracturesYOLOv8C2f-Faster-EMATADDHFDPN
spellingShingle Yu Wang
Haifu Sun
Tiankai Jiang
JunFeng Shi
JunFeng Shi
Qin Wang
Qin Wang
Hongwei Yang
Hongwei Yang
Yusen Qiao
A multi-module enhanced YOLOv8 framework for accurate AO classification of distal radius fractures: SCFAST-YOLO
Frontiers in Medicine
distal radius fractures
YOLOv8
C2f-Faster-EMA
TADDH
FDPN
title A multi-module enhanced YOLOv8 framework for accurate AO classification of distal radius fractures: SCFAST-YOLO
title_full A multi-module enhanced YOLOv8 framework for accurate AO classification of distal radius fractures: SCFAST-YOLO
title_fullStr A multi-module enhanced YOLOv8 framework for accurate AO classification of distal radius fractures: SCFAST-YOLO
title_full_unstemmed A multi-module enhanced YOLOv8 framework for accurate AO classification of distal radius fractures: SCFAST-YOLO
title_short A multi-module enhanced YOLOv8 framework for accurate AO classification of distal radius fractures: SCFAST-YOLO
title_sort multi module enhanced yolov8 framework for accurate ao classification of distal radius fractures scfast yolo
topic distal radius fractures
YOLOv8
C2f-Faster-EMA
TADDH
FDPN
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1635016/full
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