Unexpected findings on abdominal CT scans: their frequency and what they cost in money and health.

What is it about?

Low-dose abdominal CT scans are increasingly used in clinics and research because they can detect kidney stones well while exposing patients to less radiation. However, these scans sometimes reveal “incidental findings” – unexpected results unrelated to the reason for the scan. These can lead to extra tests, costs, and worry, even if the findings turn out to be harmless. We studied people without symptoms who had low-dose abdominal CT scans as part of the Swiss Kidney Stone Cohort study (control group). We looked at how often incidental findings occurred, what follow-up they led to, how much this cost, and how participants felt about it. Out of 229 participants (average age 43 years; 56% male), almost half (47%) had at least one incidental finding, and about 17% had more than one. Kidney-related findings were the most common. In about 16% of participants, radiologists recommended further tests or procedures. Follow-up costs added up to nearly 45,000 CHF in total, averaging 1,967 CHF per affected participant. In some cases, surgical procedures were done, costing as much as 35,208 CHF for one person. Psychological questionnaires showed that people with findings requiring follow-up felt more distress and concern than those without such findings. Participants with higher resilience reported less emotional impact, while those with lower resilience were more affected.

Featured Image

Photo by Accuray on Unsplash

Photo by Accuray on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Overall, these scans often uncover unexpected findings, which can bring both financial and emotional costs.

Perspectives