Incidental finding

What does "Incidental finding" mean in a report or doctor's letter? In our medical dictionary, you will find a patient-friendly explanation of the meaning of this medical term.

Explanation

An incidental finding is a term used in medicine to describe an unexpected discovery made during a medical examination or procedure. This means that a doctor might find a health issue that they weren't specifically looking for while examining a patient for something else. For example, a doctor might discover a lung nodule while taking a chest X-ray for a patient with a suspected broken rib. These findings can sometimes lead to early detection and treatment of potentially serious conditions.

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