Incidental Findings in Spinal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Examinations

Abstract

This was descriptive study has been conducted in Khartoum State Almoalem medical city in MRI department. To calculate the prevalence and clinical importance of incidental findings on spinal magnetic resonance imaging examinations . This study was done in Khartoum States from the period of February 2019 to August 2020 , for 50 patients (23 males and 27 females) , their age ranged between 30 - 90 years old . The percentage of incidental pathological findings variations on cervical spine MRI the percentage was 5.08%, thyroid nodules being the most common incidental findings. On thoracic spine MRI the percentage was 1.81%, renal cysts were demonstrated as common incidental findings during the thoracic spine MRI, with a percentage of 0.45%. On lumbar spine MRI examinations the percentage was01.01%. The results of study found MRI spine scan for female patients ovarian cyst(14.8 %), were the most common incidental finding. While prostatic enlargement (17.4%) was detected most common incidental finding in male patients on MRI spine.The study recommended additional studies should be done with large sample size to improve statistical information and more accurate results. MRI Examinations paying attention to incidentally detected pathological findings and congenital anomalies/anatomical variations is very important due to the fact that they can alter the treatment of the patient or affect the patient’s life.