Prevalence of Radiological Abnormalities Among Psychiatric Inpatients: A Study from the United Arab Emirates

Background: This is a cross sectional retrospective study aimed to estimate the prevalence of brain aberrations visible on computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in psychiatric patients admitted to the main tertiary hospital of Alain city in the United Arab Emirates. Methods: Between January 2011 and December 2013, 1,586 patients were admitted study of patients admitted to the psychiatric ward in Al Ain Hospital. Head CT or brain MRI was requested for 295 (19%) patients. Results: Ninety-four (31.8%) of the 295 patients had abnormalities on the CT or MRI. The most common finding was calcification, detected in 21 (22.3%) patients. The most common site of calcification was the basal ganglia (15 patients, or 16%). Multiple site involvements were also common (16 patients, or 17%). Other types of brain abnormalities included evolutionary changes (dilated ventricles, atrophy and prominent sulci) reported in 13 patients which represent 4.4% of the total sample and 13.8% of those with positive findings. Similar number was reported for patients with findings of vascular lesions (ischemic changes / infarction). Basal ganglia was the most common site of reported involvement occurring in 19 subjects and representing 6.4% of the total sample and 20.2% of those with positive findings. Common age at presentation with positive findings was 30-39y. Conclusions: Radiological abnormalities are common among psychiatric inpatients. Future studies are needed to identify the potential significance of these findings and correlate them with patient’s psychopathology.