Incidental Lesions of the Brain with Potential Clinical Implications in Psychiatry

Abstract

The prevalence of incidental lesions has increased as the use of imaging in research and clinical practice has increased. However, the management of incidental lesions, their clinical consequences, and their potential ethical potential risks have become more common. The detection of lesions can be beneficial for patients or research participants, but it can also be detrimental in a number of ways. This chapter covered the psychiatric effects of incidental lesions, how to inform the patient, and ethical considerations. The psychiatric consequences of meningiomas, unruptured aneurysms, and brain tumors, which are common among incidental lesions, were also discussed. Patients with incidental lesions may experience anxiety disorders, sleep issues, social isolation, sexual issues, and suicidal ideation. To prevent these, it is crucial that the physician provides accurate and detailed information about incidental lesions and their potential consequences. The significance of the patient’s psychosocial support in this process cannot be pointed out.