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ObjectiveSome 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.ConclusionBecause 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.

Original publication

DOI

10.1258/096914107780154530

Type

Journal article

Journal

Journal of medical screening

Publication Date

01/2007

Volume

14

Pages

2 - 4

Addresses

Division of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK. rustam.al-shahi@ed.ac.uk

Keywords

Brain, Humans, Intracranial Aneurysm, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Radiography, Mass Screening, Incidental Findings, Risk Assessment, Whole Body Imaging