Context Previous reports have discussed incidental disease found on brain magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) scans that had been requested for an unrelated clinical
concern or symptom, resulting in a selection bias for disease. However, the
prevalence of unexpected abnormalities has not been studied in a healthy population.
Objective To evaluate the prevalence of incidental findings on brain MRI scans
obtained for a healthy, asymptomatic population without selection bias.
Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective analysis of brain MRI scans obtained between May 17, 1996,
and July 25, 1997, from 1000 volunteers who participated as control subjects
for various research protocols at the National Institutes of Health. All participants
(age range, 3-83 years; 54.6% male) were determined to be healthy and asymptomatic
by physician examination and participant history.
Main Outcome Measure Prevalence of abnormalities on brain MRI by category of finding (no
referral necessary, routine referral, urgent referral [within 1 week of study],
and immediate referral [within 1 to several days of study]).
Results Eighty-two percent of the MRI results were normal. Of the 18% demonstrating
incidental abnormal findings, 15.1% required no referral; 1.8%, routine referral;
1.1%, urgent referral; and 0%, immediate referral. In subjects grouped for
urgent referral, 2 confirmed primary brain tumors (and a possible but unconfirmed
third) were found, demonstrating a prevalence of at least 0.2%.
Conclusion Asymptomatic subjects present with a variety of abnormalities, providing
valuable information on disease prevalence in a presumed healthy population.
A small percentage of these findings require urgent medical attention and/or