Professional Norms Regarding How Radiologists Handle Incidental Findings

The author reviews the dilemmas posed by incidental radiologic findings and provides an analysis of factors that underlie how radiologists handle them. Particular attention is paid to professional standards that mediate clinical decision making and communication in the setting of risk. The author concludes that individual radiologists should report the incidental findings they detect and use existing evidence-based recommendations when possible. Such recommendations, however, face their own challenge in maintaining consistency with norms around risk-related decision making in other clinical realms.