Picture Archiving and Communication System: Effect on Reporting of Incidental Findings

Abstract

The introduction of PACS into radiology practice for lumbar spinal MR imaging appears to be associated with an increased number of reported incidental findings and recommended follow-up studies.

Extraspinal Incidental Findings on Routine MRI of Lumbar Spine: Prevalence and Reporting Rates in 1278 Patients

“…We agree with previous studies ( 1 10 ) suggesting that evaluation of localizer images may be useful for the detection of clinically significant incidental pathologies ( Table 2 ). However, the clinical efficacy of localizer images in daily practice is debatable due to the poor quality of acquired images.…”

Extraspinal Incidental Findings on Routine MRI of Lumbar Spine: Prevalence and Reporting Rates in 1278 Patients

“…We agree with previous studies ( 1 10 ) suggesting that evaluation of localizer images may be useful for the detection of clinically significant incidental pathologies ( Table 2 ). However, the clinical efficacy of localizer images in daily practice is debatable due to the poor quality of acquired images.…”

Incidental findings detected on magnetic resonance imaging scans of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine of patients prediagnosed with discopathy

“…Several studies have reviewed the frequency of incidental extra spinal findings on lumbar spine MRI scans. Variable prevalence of ESIF in the range of 8.1-68.8% has also been reported among different age groups [1,3,8,15,16]. In our study, this rate was 7.8%, which was lower than the percentages noted in previous studies.…”

Is the routine use of magnetic resonance imaging indicated in patients with scoliosis?

“…IFs in lumbar spine MRIs have been reported as high as 68.6% when using a systematic method of reporting (38). Most papers have, however, shown a much lower rate when performing a retrospective review of the original radiology report of between 7-8% (30,38,39). The incidence in our study represented 2.34% of the overall population.…”

Extraspinal Incidental Findings on Routine MRI of Lumbar Spine: Prevalence and Reporting Rates in 1278 Patients

“…We agree with previous studies ( 1 10 ) suggesting that evaluation of localizer images may be useful for the detection of clinically significant incidental pathologies ( Table 2 ). However, the clinical efficacy of localizer images in daily practice is debatable due to the poor quality of acquired images.…”

Incidental findings detected on magnetic resonance imaging scans of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine of patients prediagnosed with discopathy

“…Several studies have reviewed the frequency of incidental extra spinal findings on lumbar spine MRI scans. Variable prevalence of ESIF in the range of 8.1-68.8% has also been reported among different age groups [1,3,8,15,16]. In our study, this rate was 7.8%, which was lower than the percentages noted in previous studies.…”

Is the routine use of magnetic resonance imaging indicated in patients with scoliosis?

“…IFs in lumbar spine MRIs have been reported as high as 68.6% when using a systematic method of reporting (38). Most papers have, however, shown a much lower rate when performing a retrospective review of the original radiology report of between 7-8% (30,38,39). The incidence in our study represented 2.34% of the overall population.…”

Extraspinal Incidental Findings on Routine MRI of Lumbar Spine: Prevalence and Reporting Rates in 1278 Patients

“…We agree with previous studies ( 1 10 ) suggesting that evaluation of localizer images may be useful for the detection of clinically significant incidental pathologies ( Table 2 ). However, the clinical efficacy of localizer images in daily practice is debatable due to the poor quality of acquired images.…”

Incidental findings detected on magnetic resonance imaging scans of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine of patients prediagnosed with discopathy

“…Several studies have reviewed the frequency of incidental extra spinal findings on lumbar spine MRI scans. Variable prevalence of ESIF in the range of 8.1-68.8% has also been reported among different age groups [1,3,8,15,16]. In our study, this rate was 7.8%, which was lower than the percentages noted in previous studies.…”

Is the routine use of magnetic resonance imaging indicated in patients with scoliosis?

“…IFs in lumbar spine MRIs have been reported as high as 68.6% when using a systematic method of reporting (38). Most papers have, however, shown a much lower rate when performing a retrospective review of the original radiology report of between 7-8% (30,38,39). The incidence in our study represented 2.34% of the overall population.…”