Diagnostic yield of emergency brain MRI among patients with suspected cerebral venous sinus thrombosis – a retrospective cohort study
Happonen, Tatu (2022-09-30)
Diagnostic yield of emergency brain MRI among patients with suspected cerebral venous sinus thrombosis – a retrospective cohort study
(30.09.2022)
Julkaisu on tekijänoikeussäännösten alainen. Teosta voi lukea ja tulostaa henkilökohtaista käyttöä varten. Käyttö kaupallisiin tarkoituksiin on kielletty.
avoin
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on:
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2022121270562
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2022121270562
Tiivistelmä
Background:
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare neurological emergency condition with non-specific symptoms. Imaging options to rule out CVST are computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic yield of emergency brain MRI as a first-line imaging method among patients with suspected CVST.
Material and methods:
In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed emergency brain MRI referrals from a five-year period in a tertiary hospital for suspicion of CVST. We recorded patient characteristics, risk factors mentioned in the referrals, and imaging outcomes.
Results:
Altogether 327 patients underwent emergency brain MRI on the grounds of suspected CVST. MRI showed evidence of CVST among five patients (1.5%). Imaging showed other clinically significant pathology among 15% of the patients, and incidental findings among 5% of the patients.
Conclusion:
Despite clinical suspicion, diagnostic yield of emergency MRI for CVST is low, and similar to that previously reported for CT. MRI is an alternative imaging method devoid of ionizing radiation in patients with suspected CVST.
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare neurological emergency condition with non-specific symptoms. Imaging options to rule out CVST are computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic yield of emergency brain MRI as a first-line imaging method among patients with suspected CVST.
Material and methods:
In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed emergency brain MRI referrals from a five-year period in a tertiary hospital for suspicion of CVST. We recorded patient characteristics, risk factors mentioned in the referrals, and imaging outcomes.
Results:
Altogether 327 patients underwent emergency brain MRI on the grounds of suspected CVST. MRI showed evidence of CVST among five patients (1.5%). Imaging showed other clinically significant pathology among 15% of the patients, and incidental findings among 5% of the patients.
Conclusion:
Despite clinical suspicion, diagnostic yield of emergency MRI for CVST is low, and similar to that previously reported for CT. MRI is an alternative imaging method devoid of ionizing radiation in patients with suspected CVST.