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Screening using whole-body magnetic resonance imaging scanning: who wants an incidentaloma?
Rustam Al-Shahi Salman1, William N Whiteley, Charles Warlow
1Division of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK. rustam.al-shahi@ed.ac.uk
Objective:
Some private health screening companies in the UK provide 'health check-ups' using whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in spite of the lack of evidence demonstrating that such screening is worthwhile. We discuss the issues surrounding the use of an MRI scan as a screening test in 'health check-ups' and set out our concerns.
Conclusion:
Because of the five balance between the potential perils and benefits of the unselective use of brain MRI for 'health check-ups', its use should be restricted to a research setting.
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