title: The prevalence and clinical significance of noncardiac findings on cardiac MRI.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to evaluate the prevalence, nature, and clinical significance of noncardiac findings (NCFs) at cardiac MRI.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed 240 consecutive, clinically indicated cardiac MRI examinations conducted over a 21-month period. All noncardiac findings (NCFs) were recorded. Those findings that were included in the report impressions were regarded as clinically important (INCF). Electronic medical records and related imaging studies were then reviewed for all patients having INCFs to determine their actual clinical significance. A finding was significant (SNCF) if it was associated with a new diagnosis, treatment, or intervention. The prevalences of findings in the neck, chest, and abdomen were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found 162 NCFs in 104 studies (43%), of which 94 (58%) were INCFs, and 16 (10%) were SNCFs. There was at least one INCF in 65 studies (27%)--67% of which were new--and at least one SNCF in 13 studies (5%). Compared with younger patients, patients 60 years and older were much more likely to have INCFs (43% vs 17%) and SNCFs (12% vs 1%). Overall, 29% of NCFs were in the abdomen, 70% in the chest, and 1% in the neck. The most common INCFs were pleural effusion (n = 26), air-space disease or atelectasis (n = 13), and adenopathy (n = 9). Five new cases of cancer were diagnosed, including lung (n = 2), lymphoma (n = 2), and thyroid (n = 1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NCFs are commonly encountered on cardiac MRI studies, many of which are clinically relevant. Proper recognition of NCFs is critical to the comprehensive management of patients referred for cardiac MRI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert School of Medicine of Brown University, 593 Eddy St, Providence, RI 02903, USA. atalay_99@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Michael K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Atalay
authors.forename: Ethan A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Prince
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies