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In medical or research imaging, an incidental finding is an unanticipated finding which is not related to the original diagnostic inquiry. As with other types of incidental findings, they may represent a diagnostic, ethical, and philosophical dilemma because the significance is unclear. While some coincidental findings may lead to beneficial diagnoses , others may lead to overdiagnosis in the form of unnecessary testing and treatment, i.e. the "cascade effect."
Incidental findings are common in imaging. For instance, around 1 in every 3 cardiac MRIs result in an incidental finding. Incidence is similar for chest CTs.
As the use of medical imaging increases, the chance of detecting incidental findings is expected to increase.
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