Incidental findings

Information

Every now and then a researcher may notice an abnormality on an MRI scan of a healthy participant or patient. Rarely (in less than 5% of the cases) it concerns an abnormality that requires further action to be taken.

Action is only to be taken if the abnormality is treatable and if the abnormality has negative consequences for the health of the individual. The medical ethical committee of the AMC deems it inappropriate to inform a participant or patient of an untreatable abnormality, unless the individual presents with symptoms related to the abnormality.

If you notice an abnormality on an MRI and want to be sure if action needs to be taken, it is possible to have the AMC Radiology department inspect your scans. Before initiating the incidental finding procedure, please consult with SC staff and/or your colleagues to make sure that you are looking at something serious, which may affect the participant’s health, and not an artefact or a white matter abnormality.

Procedure

Reporting an incidental finding goes according to the following procedure:

• If you encounter an abnormality during scanning and if time allows, run an additional structural scan:
  • At the 3T, run a FLAIR.
  • At the 7T, run a T2-weighted scan.
    These protocols can be found in the exam card Hospital -> Standard -> Incidental finding at both scanners.
• Fill in the incidental findings request form. Note: you can omit the insurance number.
  • Clearly indicate the patient name as entered in the patient registration on the form.
• Send your structural scans to “AMC-classic” (via Administration -> 'Send to network'). Specifically you should transfer (if acquired):
  • a T1-weighted scan.
  • a FLAIR or T2. If it is not possible to provide a T2 scan, but you do have EPI images, provide a single dynamic hoe? together with the T1.
• Give the form to Trijntje, who will forward the information to the radiologist.
• The radiologist writes a report and sends an email to the responsible researcher with the outcome of the examination.
• The researcher then notifies the general practitioner of the participant about the outcome in case of a positive finding.

Text to include in the subject information leaflet

English

There is a (very small) chance that the MRI scan turns up an unusual finding in your brain. In the unlikely event that an unusual finding is substantial a radiologist will take a closer look and, if he feels it is warranted, will inform your GP. We need your consent prior to the scan and we will ask for the name and address of your GP. Should you decline, you will not be able to participate in the MRI research.

Dutch

Er is een kleine kans dat het onderzoek aanwijzingen oplevert dat u een hersenbeschadiging heeft, zoals een hersentumor. In dat geval sturen wij de MRI van uw hoofd door naar een radioloog die de vondst controleert. Mocht deze de vondst bevestigen dan wordt deze informatie aan u en uw huisarts doorgegeven. Mocht u hiermee niet akkoord gaan, dan kunt u niet deelnemen aan het onderzoek. Wij vragen u daarom de naam en woonplaats van uw huisarts op te geven. We willen u erop wijzen dat de laborant / proefleider niet in staat is alle vormen van hersenbeschadiging te detecteren en dat het ook niet mogelijk is alle hersenbeschadigingen op de MRI scan die we van uw hoofd nemen te zien.

Text for informed consent form

English

I hereby agree that in case of incidental finding my general practitioner may be notified.

Dutch

Ik ga ermee akkoord dat er in het geval van een mogelijke hersenaandoening contact wordt opgenomen met mijn huisarts.