[Clinically relevant incidental cardiovascular findings in CT examinations]

Radiologe. 2017 Apr;57(4):296-301. doi: 10.1007/s00117-017-0226-y.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Background and method: Incidental cardiovascular findings are a frequent phenomenon in computed tomography (CT) examinations. As the result of a dedicated PubMed search this article gives a systemic overview of the current literature on the most important incidental cardiovascular findings, their prevalence and clinical relevance.

Results: The majority of incidental cardiovascular findings are of only low clinical relevance; however, highly relevant incidental findings, such as aortic aneurysms, thromboses and thromboembolic events can also occasionally be found, especially in oncology patients.

Conclusion: The scans from every CT examination should also be investigated for incidental findings as they can be of decisive importance for the further clinical management of patients, depending on their clinical relevance.

Keywords: Incidental findings; Oncology patients; Procedure; Prognosis; Reports.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings*
  • Physical Examination
  • Prevalence
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*