Incidental Findings on Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging From 1000 Asymptomatic Volunteers

Abstract

Unexpected abnormalities are occasionally discovered during brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), usually in the setting of an investigation for some other reason. The radiologist and referring physician are then placed in a position of determining relevance of the abnormal finding and considering its impact on the patient. To this end, decisions must be made concerning the seriousness of the finding, including whether it is merely within the realm of normal variation.