Incidental Findings

Explore general guidance on managing incidentally discovered masses.

An incidental finding, also known as an incidentaloma, may be defined as “an incidentally discovered mass or lesion, detected by CT, MRI or other imaging modality performed for an unrelated reason.”

An increase in cross-sectional imaging examinations over the past three decades has led to a marked increase in the number of imaging findings that are unrelated to the primary indication for the test.

Each incidental finding guidance document addresses the patient population in which the recommendations apply and provides context for interpretation of the recommendations.

You can explore all Incidental Findings content on the ACR® Guidance App.


Close-up of woman holding a pen and wearing glasses as she looks at medical imaging results on a monitor

Incidental Findings Publications

The ACR Incidental Findings publications include important considerations for specific patient populations that should be taken into account prior to application.

Topics Under Development

  • Pineal cyst
  • Fatty liver disease
  • Parathyroid lesion

Licensing RADS content

License Information

For permissions of published incidental findings visit JACR®.

Additional permissions may be available by request. Contact us: rads@acr.org