Study finds patients can avoid unnecessary radiation by undergoing an MRI scan first

SEATTLE – Four local physicians, including two from Seattle Radiologists, APC, received a prestigious award in June for their study of a common cause of dizziness and vertigo. The study could lead to patients receiving significantly less radiation during evaluation.

The award was announced June 16 by the American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR) for a study focused on using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for evaluating a syndrome known as Semicircular Canal Dehiscence, a leading cause of dizziness.

The study concluded that MRI studies could be used in place of the current standard protocol of Computed Tomography (CT) for initial evaluation of Semicircular Canal Dehiscence.

Seattle Radiologists physicians Uresh Patel, MD and Timothy Larson, MD, along with Matthew Wong, MD from Washington Otology Neurotology Group and Patrick Browaeys, MD, a Fellow in Neuroradiology with the University of Washington collaborated on the paper. Dr. Patel acted as supervising author.

Semicircular Canal Dehiscence is diagnosed by identifying a very small defect in one of the very small tubes in the inner ear, the superior semicircular canal, which aids balance. Current methodology for detecting this defect is by high resolution CT imaging. However radiation is involved in CT imaging, whereas no radiation is used with MRI scans. By shifting the initial diagnosis to MRI scanning, Semicircular Canal Dehiscence can be ruled out in many cases without the added radiation dose, according to the paper. The authors concluded that using MRI could mean an 80 percent reduction in CT utilization. Should Semicircular Canal Dehiscence be indicated by the initial MRI scan, a follow-up CT scan would then be ordered, the paper suggested.

“This study is important because it results in a potential reduction in radiation exposure to patients,” said Dr. Uresh Patel of Seattle Radiologists, the supervising author on the paper.

The paper, “Can MR Replace the Need for CT in Evaluating Semicircular Canal Dehiscence? A Comparison between FIESTA MR Imaging and High Resolution CT of the Temporal Bone”, was selected to receive the ASNR Outstanding Presentation Award in Head and Neck Radiology by the ASNR Education Committee. The committee was aided by the American Society of Head and Neck Radiology (ASHNR) in determining the winner.

Tags: ASNR, CT, MRI, radiation