Management of patients with incidental findings in imaging tests: a large prospective single-center study

Clin Imaging. 2014 May-Jun;38(3):249-54. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2013.12.018. Epub 2014 Jan 6.

Abstract

We prospectively followed up patients with an incidental finding detected in an image test to assess the additional interventions carried out and the clinical implications of the incidental findings detected. Out of 474 patients with an incidental finding, 63 (13.3%) were further evaluated, and of these patients, 25 (39.7%) had clinical implications. Patients who had an X-ray (24/76, 31.6%), with a preoperative examination (19/77 24.7%), and with an incidental finding in the thoracic cavity (34/117, 29.1%) or in the head/neck (6/28, 21.4%) were more likely to have additional evaluations.

Keywords: Additional evaluations; Cohort study; Imaging tests; Incidental findings.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diagnostic Imaging*
  • Female
  • Head
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography