Explaining the Unexpected

Incidentaloma: a cutesy term for an unexpected finding on an imaging or lab study unrelated to the study’s original purpose. Known more formally as an “incidental finding”, they are a huge source of wasted time, money, effort, anxiety, and medical resources spent tracking down exactly what they are. Because lawsuit! I found myself trying to explain this concept to a patient the other day, and came up with this: It’s something completely unrelated that’s photobombing your xray. Isn’t that exactly it?

https://dinosaurmusings.wordpress.com/2015/03/13/explaining-the-unexpected/

Source: Musings of a Dinosaur - March 13, 2015 Category: Primary Care Authors: notdeaddinosaur Tags: Medical Source Type: blogs