Two-year study of the use of neuroimaging in a psychiatric inpatients unit

Neuroimaging is being used increasingly in the investigation of psychiatric disorders. Previous studies have found abnormalities in about two-thirds of all scans done in psychiatry. The aim of our study was to investigate the use of CT and MRI in the management of inpatients in psychiatry department Adelaide & Meath hospital, Tallaght and to examine the relationship between diagnosis and abnormalities seen on scans.

We did a two-year retrospective study of all inpatient referrals for CT scans/MRI scans. A case note review of bio-demographic data, diagnosis, relevant medical history, substance misuse history, indication for tests and results of scans was done. We found that 66 CTs and MRI scans were done over the study period.

Fourteen (21%) of the scans had abnormal results which were mostly atrophic changes. Of the 14 abnormal scans, seven had abnormal findings on neurological examination. We found a lower number of abnormal scans compared to previous studies.

Radiological abnormalities were not disease specific. We wish to propose guidelines on the indications for using neuroimaging in psychiatric patients.