Extraspinal incidental findings and reporting rates at lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging: more than a spinal examination?

Authors : Erdal KOMUT

Pages : 582-588

Doi:10.32322/jhsm.941211

View : 12 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 2021-09-05

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: To reveal the prevalence characteristics of extraspinal findings incidentally detected in lumbar spinal MRI examinations, determine their rate of reporting status, and analyze the findings in terms of clinical significance and patient benefit in order to help prevent possible medicolegal and ethical problems. Material and Methods: A total of 2,912 lumbar MRI examinations were retrospectively reviewed. The extraspinal findings were identified and analyzed according to their clinical significance. MRI examination reports were analyzed and whether extraspinal findings were included in these reports was determined. Results: The study included a total of 2,912 patients, of whom 41% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=1,195); were male and 59% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=1,717); were female. The mean age of all patients was 48.25±15.92 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(8-90); years. The mean age of men was 47.31±16.96 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(9-90); and that of women was 48.91±15.12 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(8-90); years. Extraspinal findings were present in 29% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=844); of the patients and absent in 71% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=2,068);. The number of extraspinal findings 1 for 25.10% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=731); of the patients, 2 in 3.61% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=105);, 3 in 0.24% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=7);, and 4 in 0.03% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=1);, with the total number being determined as 966. Conclusion: Lumbar MRI images should be more carefully examined during the reporting stage and clinical evaluation in order to prevent possible morbidity-mortality situations by making accurate and early referrals in patient management and to avoid ethical-judicial problems that physicians may face due to the inability to recognize existing pathologies that may be outside the targeted area.
Keywords : magnetic resonance imaging, lumbar, extraspinal, spinal