Originally Posted by kingrex

When they refer to a finding as "incidental," they simply mean that the finding does not directly pertain to the symptoms/diagnosis that prompted the MRI scan referral. Another example of an incidental finding might be the observation that your maxillary sinuses are inflamed; that finding has nothing to do with the MS diagnosis that prompted your physician to order the MRI, but it's *there* and therefore should be reported.

In no way does "incidental finding" mean "of little importance." I recall finding a large brain tumor once while doing a cervical MRI; that was also reported as an incidental finding.

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