Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging: Incidental findings in paediatric and adult populations

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and characterise the significance of incidental findings on whole-body MRI in paediatric and adult populations. Methods: A retrospective, single-institution study over a period of 8 years. The study population comprised 325 paediatric (0-18 yrs) patients and 148 adults (19-40 yrs) referred to a specialist musculoskeletal oncology centre, who underwent whole-body MRI for a range of pathological indications. Incidental findings were recorded according to pathology (musculoskeletal or non-musculoskeletal), site and clinical relevance. Results: Eighty-seven of 325 (26.8 %) paediatric patients and 51 of 148 (35.8 %) adults had incidental findings detected on whole-body MRI. The most common site was the musculoskeletal system, and within this location the lower limbs. Eighty-nine percent of incidental findings in paediatric patients and 79 % of incidental findings in adults were classified as being of either minor or no clinical significance. Conclusion: Incidental findings are common in paediatric and adult patients undergoing whole-body MRI, and are most frequently found in the lower limbs. The overwhelming majority are of minor clinical significance.