incidental findings

Tyler Barrett, MD, MSCI, reviews an imaging scan in the VUAH Emergency Department, where a dedicated process ensures follow-up of suspicious images unrelated to a patient’s injuries. (photo by Susan Urmy)

Process ensures follow-up of incidental radiology findings

When people go to an emergency room after being injured, suspicious images may show up on their imaging scans that are unrelated to their injuries but may be indicative of cancer. A team at Vanderbilt University Medical Center recently established a better process for ensuring these patients receive follow-up diagnostic care, an initiative that is already receiving national recognition.