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Bhaskar SMM. An Equity and Justice-Informed Ethical Framework to Guide Incidental Findings in Brain Imaging Research. Clin Pract 2023; 13:116-124. [PMID: 36648851 PMCID: PMC9890311 DOI: 10.3390/clinpract13010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The handling of incidental findings (IFs) in brain imaging studies has been a source of contention among scientists and bioethicists. A conceptual framework informed by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and distributive justice approaches, namely EUSTICE, is proposed for the ethical handling and reporting of IFs in brain imaging research. I argue that EUSTICE provides a systematic and inclusive approach to addressing the ethical conundrum around IF disclosure and managing IFs proportionately and sensitively in brain imaging research. The EUSTICE framework may have implications for the field of neurosciences or human studies broadly in guiding ethics of IFs in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonu M. M. Bhaskar
- Global Health Neurology Lab, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia; ; Tel.: +61-(02)-873-89179; Fax: +61-(02)-8738-3648
- Neurovascular Imaging Laboratory, Clinical Sciences Stream, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
- Department of Neurology & Neurophysiology, Liverpool Hospital & South West Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD), Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
- NSW Brain Clot Bank, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
- Stroke & Neurology Research Group, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
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Roane JL, Mio M, Viner J, Bettridge A, Heyn C, Roifman I, Selkirk B, Kertes P, MacIntosh BJ, Thayalasuthan V, Detzler G, Endre R, Jimenez-Juan L, Henry B, Murray BJ, Goldstein BI. Incidental Findings Among Youth Participating in Multimodal Imaging Research: Characteristics of Findings and Description of a Management Approach. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:875934. [PMID: 35813368 PMCID: PMC9259791 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.875934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Research imaging in healthy and clinical youth populations yields incidental findings that require a management strategy. Our primary objective was to document the frequency and nature of incidental findings within a research group integrating multiple imaging modalities. A second objective was to describe the evolution of an approach to handling incidental findings. A case example was included to display the intricacies of some of these scenarios. Youth, ages 13-20 years, with bipolar disorder, familial risk for bipolar disorder, or healthy controls, obtained one or a combination of neuroimaging, cardio-thoracic imaging, retinal imaging, and carotid imaging. All images were systematically reviewed for incidental findings. Overall, of 223 participants (n = 102 healthy controls), 59% (n = 131) had a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) incidental finding and 27% (n = 60) had at least one incidental brain finding requiring non-urgent follow-up. In addition, of 109 participants with chest/cardiac MRI and carotid ultrasound, 3% (n = 3) had chest findings, 2% (n = 2) had cardiac findings, and 1% (n = 1) had a carotid finding. Of 165 youth with retinal imaging, 1% (n = 2) had incidental findings. While the vast majority of these incidental findings were of a non-serious, non-urgent nature, there were noteworthy exceptions. Imaging research groups need a system that emphasizes the value of clinical review of research images and one that is collaborative and responsive in order to inform follow-up plans. Rating systems that have been developed and used in neuroimaging for the classification of incidental findings can be adapted for use in areas other than the brain. Regardless of severity, incidental findings may raise anxiety in youth participants and their parents. The optimal threshold is one that balances transparency with utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Roane
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Megan Mio
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jacqueline Viner
- Department of Classics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ariel Bettridge
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Chinthaka Heyn
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Idan Roifman
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Beth Selkirk
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Peter Kertes
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Ophthalmology & Visions Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bradley J MacIntosh
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Garry Detzler
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ruby Endre
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Laura Jimenez-Juan
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Blair Henry
- Division of Neurology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Brian J Murray
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Benjamin I Goldstein
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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