ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Incidental imaging finding

An incidental imaging finding happens when a doctor looks at pictures of the inside of your body (like x-rays or scans) for one reason, but they notice something else that they weren't expecting. It's like when you're playing a game of "I Spy" and you're trying to find a red ball, but then you notice a blue toy car on the floor that you weren't looking for. The blue toy car is the incidental finding.

Sometimes, when a doctor is looking at your body pictures, they might notice something strange or unusual in another part of your body that they weren't checking for. This can happen because the pictures are very detailed and show things that the doctor couldn't see with just their eyes. It's kind of like a superpower that helps doctors find problems in your body before you even know anything is wrong.

But just because the doctor finds something doesn't always mean it's a big problem. Sometimes, the thing they find is not important and won't cause you any harm. It's like finding a toy that you lost a long time ago but realizing you don't really need it anymore.

Other times, the incidental finding might be something important that the doctor needs to check more closely. It's like finding a clue while playing a mystery game that tells you where the hidden treasure is. The doctor might want to do more tests or ask you questions to make sure everything is okay.

So, when a doctor tells you about an incidental imaging finding, it means they found something unexpected while looking at your body pictures. They will decide if it's something they need to look into more or if it's something you don't need to worry about. It's all part of making sure you stay healthy and strong!