2024, Number 3
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Acta Med 2024; 22 (3)
Incidental findings in brain magnetic resonance imaging and their bioethical implications in patients studied at the Hospital Angeles Acoxpa
Sandoval BMA, García BMC, Sandoval OLI, Guillen SBA
Language: Spanish
References: 23
Page: 198-202
PDF size: 165.42 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: incidental findings are occurring more frequently. In Mexico, their clinical, bioethical, and legal implications have not been discussed.
Objective: to describe and discuss the clinical and bioethical implications of incidental findings in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Material and methods: this was an observational, retrospective, and cross-sectional study reviewing radiological records conducted at the Hospital Angeles Acoxpa from January 2 to May 3, 2020.
Results: a total of 68 records were reviewed. The age ranged from 1 to 88 years, averaging 46 for women and 49 for men. We found that 39 cases (57%) represented an incidental finding, distributed as follows: category I, without clinical significance, we found it in 23 cases (59%), for example, vascular loops. Category II, reportable finding: we found it in 9 cases (23%), for example, Fazekas I-III. Category III, reportable finding, was found in seven cases (18%), e.g., subdural hematomas.
Conclusion: we discuss the medical and bioethical implications of this problem and propose a methodology to follow. a) Incidental findings are frequent in our series; we found them in 57%. b) In 18%, they are life-threatening.
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