incidentaloma
Pronunciation: in-si-DEN-tal-oh-ma
An unexpected finding discovered during imaging performed for unrelated reasons, requiring clinical evaluation.
Full Definition
An incidentaloma is a mass or lesion that is discovered incidentally during imaging studies performed for unrelated clinical indications. These findings are increasingly common due to the widespread use of advanced imaging techniques such as CT, MRI, and ultrasound. While most incidentalomas are benign, they pose management challenges as they may require further investigation to rule out malignancy. The term is commonly applied to adrenal masses, thyroid nodules, renal masses, and pulmonary nodules found on imaging studies.
Usage
Usage note: A somewhat informal but widely accepted medical term. The suffix '-oma' does not necessarily indicate malignancy in this context.
In Context
- "The chest CT revealed a 1.2 cm pulmonary incidentaloma requiring follow-up imaging." — Radiology report
- "Management protocols for thyroid incidentalomas depend on size and ultrasound characteristics." — Clinical guideline