Introduction: Incidental findings on brain MRI are not rare since the development of MRI as a diagnostic and clinical research tool.
State of the art: Prevalence of cerebral incidental finding, based on research volunteers participating in studies, is estimated from 1.7 to 4 percent. The most frequently detected lesions are intracranial tumors (meningioma, arachnoid cysts, neuro-epithelial tumor) and vascular malformations.
Perspectives: A better knowledge of the spontaneous outcome of incidental findings would allow adequate management of these patients.
Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware of the outcome of incidental findings, to reassure patients or trigger a work-up if necessary.