The incidental diagnosis.
Incidental findings transcend medical practice. Two cases are discussed in which significant conditions were discovered during clinical examination for an unrelated disorder. The first case presents a disease reported for the first time in a male. Recent literature has alluded to missed diagnoses found only at autopsies. With cost constraint as a national theme, the appropriate use of technology presents a challenge to the physician. The cases discussed raise questions about the process of diagnosis. Both situations bring to light the limitations of clinical investigation early in the pathologic process.
D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010235:Paraganglioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology