Prevalence of incidentally discovered findings on brain MRI in adult Egyptian population

Abstract

Abstract Background Apparently, asymptomatic intracranial anomalies of potential clinical significance are becoming problematic, especially with the increase of use of brain MRI by clinicians and researchers. Performing MRI at higher resolution and stronger magnetic field and with more selective sequences has led to the detection of subtle brain anomalies that were not detected previously. Incidental findings are defined as previously undetected anomalies of potential clinical relevance that are unexpectedly detected and not related to the indication of the scan. Knowing about their existence would help clinicians to inform their patients of the potential risks and plan for long-term follow-up when indicated. Results Seven hundred fifty-three neurologically healthy subjects (389 males and 364 females) who underwent MRI scanning of the brain were screened for the presence of incidental findings, and the prevalence of each finding was recorded. Incidental findings were recorded in 11.7% of the subjects with meningiomas being the most commonly encountered finding (2.5%) followed by vascular malformations (aneurysms, cavernomas) in about 2% of the subjects. Meningiomas, cavernomas, and aneurysms had significantly higher prevalence in females than in males. The prevalence of neoplastic incidental findings increased with age, while the detection of non-neoplastic findings seemed to decrease with age. Conclusion Incidental findings were relatively common in the adult Egyptian population. The most common findings were meningiomas, followed by vascular malformations and arachnoids cysts. Knowing about their existence will help directing patients towards the proper specialist and plan for appropriate follow-up to avoid potential clinical hazards. It also raises the awareness of the importance of screening the brain scans while scanning the patient for other purposes like scanning the paranasal sinuses, orbits, and petrous temporal bones.