title: The prevalence of incidental findings in multiple sclerosis patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Incidental findings arising from imaging research have important implications for patient safety. Magnetic resonance imaging is widespread in multiple sclerosis (MS) studies and care, yet the prevalence rate of incidental findings in MS is poorly defined. The absence of such reports in the MS literature suggests that such findings may be deemed inappropriate for documentation in research publications, or possibly, not fully reported at all.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to document incidental findings from a study designed to detect features of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) in MS patients and control subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Magnetic resonance images were obtained as part of a prospective study conducted between October 2010 and September 2012. Patients with MS (relapsing-remitting, primary progressive, secondary progressive), clinically isolated syndromes, and neuromyelitis optica and age/sex-matched healthy controls were included. All images were reviewed by neuro-radiologists for quality-control purposes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Magnetic resonance imaging was successfully obtained in 166 participants (110 patients, 56 controls). Incidental abnormalities (n = 33) were detected in 15% of patients (n = 17) and 27% of controls (n = 15), comprising 19% overall (n = 32).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of incidental findings from the MS population was not significantly different from the control population. However, the overall prevalence was high and warrants a careful management strategy for future imaging studies.
  
  
  
  Prévalence des découvertes fortuites chez les patients atteints de sclérose en plaques.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trufyn
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Modi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ciura
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frayne
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goyal
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lautner
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bhayana
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Davenport
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Mah
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Costello
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies