COVID-19 Pandemic-Associated Changes in the Acuity of Brain MRI Findings: A Secondary Analysis of Reports Using Natural Language Processing.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale and objectives

We aimed to assess early COVID-19 pandemic-associated changes in brain MRI examination frequency and acuity of imaging findings acuity.

Methods

Using a natural language processing model, we retrospectively categorized reported findings of 12,346 brain MRI examinations performed during 6-month pre-pandemic and early pandemic time periods across a large metropolitan health system into 3 acuity levels: (1) normal or near normal; (2) incidental or chronic findings not requiring a management change; and (3) new or progressive findings requiring a management change. Brain MRI frequency and imaging finding acuity level were compared over time.

Results

Between March and August of 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2020 (early pandemic), our health system brain M

SUBMITTER: Min TL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8636309 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature