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Table 2 The number and indications of appropriate MRI examinations in different subgroups

From: Survey of inappropriate use of magnetic resonance imaging

MRI

n

Indicated (n)

Indication (n) *

Upper abdomen

15

13

Unclear hepatic/hepatic hilar/pancreatic or adrenal lesion/status (10)

Unclear pancreatic duct dilatation (1)

Follow-up after laser ablation of a tumour of the kidney (1)

Previous cancer (kidney + GIST**), pain and elevation of tumour marker (1)

Exclusion of residivous pancreatic-cutaneous fistula before operation of lumbar hernia (1)

Leukaemia, control of hepatic fungal infection before stem cell transplant (1)

Liver

15

13

Unclear/follow-up of liver lesions (10)

Suspicion of sclerosing cholangitis (1)

Leukaemia, symptoms of infection (1)

Pain,fever and biliary stasis at ultrasound after laser ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma (1)

Lumbar spine

30

28

Prolonged lower back pain (25)

Prolonged lower leg symptoms (2)

Postoperative lower back pain (1)

Knee

30

27

Suspicion of meniscus rupture (19)

Suspicion of cartilage lesion (3)

Oedema and opaque synovial fluid (1)

Control of liposarcoma (1), myxoma (1)

Suspicion of a loose body (1), detached biceps muscle (1)

Abnormal bone structure in plain x-ray (1)

Previous meniscus operation, postoperative pain (1)

Head

30

29

Control of brain tumour/suspicion of brain metastases (9)

Unclear unconsciousness (+ convulsion) (4)

Headache (+ visual symptoms) (3)

Suspicion of demyelinization (2), a cavernoma (1), memory disorder (1), early Parkinson disease (1), sinus thrombosis (1)

Epidemic nephropathy, a study (1), control of brain trauma, a study (1)

Previous paraplegia, brain contusion, now weakness of upper arms (1)

Screening of aneurysm (1)

Control of traumatic bleeding (1)

Control of a previous finding (1)

[One MRI done in error (1)]

Head, children (anaesthesia)

30

30

Developmental disorder (9)

Control of a previous finding (4)

Headache/nocturnal nausea (4)

Seizure of absence (4)

Excessive growth of the head (2)

Leukaemia, planned stem cell transplant (2)

Visual symptoms/stasis papillae (2)

Previous head trauma, acute symptoms of the limbs (1)

Leukaemia, acute brain-based symptoms (1)

Premature infant with intracerebral haematomas, later stiffness of the limbs (1)

Osteopetrosis, status of cranial nerves (1)

Control of brain tumour (1)

Fracture of the skull vault, liquor leakage from the ear (1)

All

150

140

 
  1. *Some patients had more than one symptom/indication
  2. **GIST, gastrointestinal stromal tumour