Incidental findings on magnetic resonance imaging of the internal auditory meatus for vestibular schwannoma: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: Magnetic resonance imaging of the internal auditory meatus is a highly sensitive and specific way to diagnose vestibular schwannoma. However, the rate of incidental findings with this method is believed to be high and can lead to increased patient anxiety and health interventions with unclear benefit.

Method: A systematic review of the literature was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify incidental findings from magnetic resonance imaging of the internal auditory meatus; 12 studies were identified for inclusion within this review.

Results: A total of 10 666 patients were included within the review. The overall rate of diagnosis of vestibular schwannoma was 0.87 per cent; 21 per cent of the study population had incidental findings on magnetic resonance imaging of the internal auditory meatus, and 9.56 per cent had clinically significant incidental findings.

Conclusion: Standardised pre-scan counselling may mitigate the risks of overdiagnosis, but future work should be undertaken to assess the benefits of such a strategy as well as the exact significance of some incidental findings.

Keywords: Incidental findings; imaging; magnetic resonance imaging; vestibular schwannoma.