Two-year study of the use of neuroimaging in a psychiatric inpatients unit

Objectives: Neuroimaging is being used increasingly in the investigation of psychiatric disorders. Previous studies have found abnormalities in about two-thirds of all scans done in psychiatry. The aim of our study was to investigate the use of CT and MRI in the management of inpatients in psychiatry department Adelaide & Meath hospital, Tallaght and to examine the relationship between diagnosis and abnormalities seen on scans.Method: We did a two-year retrospective study of all inpatient referrals for CT scans/MRI scans. A case note review of bio-demographic data, diagnosis, relevant medical history, substance misuse history, indication for tests and results of scans was done. We found that 66 CTs and MRI scans were done over the study period.Results: Fourteen (21%) of the scans had abnormal results which were mostly atrophic changes. Of the 14 abnormal scans, seven had abnormal findings on neurological examination. We found a lower number of abnormal scans compared to previous studies.Conclusions: Radiological abnormalities were not disease specific. We wish to propose guidelines on the indications for using neuroimaging in psychiatric patients.

In conversation with Tom Lynch

Professor Lynch was born in Dublin in 1922. From 1953 to 1961 he was Staff Psychiatrist, St Patrick's Hospital, Dublin, and Consultant Psychiatrist to Meath Hospital, Dublin. He was Resident Medical superintendent at St Otteran's Hospital, Waterford from 1961 to 1968. From 1968 to 1990 he was Professor of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He has been Chairman and Clinical Director of the Eastern Health Board, Chairman of the Irish Psychiatric Training Committee and Chairman of the Irish Division of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. He was a member of Council of the Royal College of Psychiatrists from 1980 to 1984, Junior Vice-President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists from 1981 to 1982 and Senior Vice-President from 1982 to 1983. He served on the College's Court of Electors from 1983 to 1988.