“Incidental findings” are those that are discovered by surprise while researching something else. This happens more frequently than expected in both medical and non-medical research. These findings are typically unrelated to what was being researched in the first place.
When working up a diagnostic analysis of a medical problem or during routine screening procedures, incidental findings often present no clinical concern but may be of great significance at times. In fact, they may immediately present themselves as something far more important than what was being researched in the first place. They may very well require more immediate attention than the condition that was being evaluated.
Dr. Robert Sancetta is a former DC-10 captain with 11,000 flight hours. He has worked as a Senior AME since 1993 and is appointed as AME Consultant to the FAA Federal Air Surgeon.
More In Regulations and Government
