title: Extraurinary Incidental Findings on CT for Hematuria: The Radiologist's Role and Downstream Cost Analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purposes of this study of patients who underwent CT for hematuria were to understand how radiologists' recommendations regarding incidental findings affect their management, assess long-term outcomes from important incidental findings, and calculate estimates of downstream costs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis was performed of 1295 patients who underwent CT for hematuria from 2004 to 2006 at our institution. Incidental findings outside the urinary tract were recorded and imaging reports categorized on the basis of recommendations, interpretations, and actions of radiologists. Patients with important incidental findings were followed for 6-8 years. Costs related to incidental findings were estimated and tallied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred fourteen important findings were found in 143 of 1295 patients, with 93 patients undergoing clinical follow-up, including 30 patients who underwent invasive procedures leading to 154 hospital days and 16 operations (group 1). In 63 patients, no invasive procedures were performed (group 2). Costs were higher in group 1 than in group 2, and the average per-patient cost for all 1295 patients was $385. In group 1, 95% of recommendations were followed compared with 80% in group 2. There was probable therapeutic benefit in 25 of 143 (17%) patients. There were serious complications in six of 143 (4.2%) patients, including death in two of 143 (1.4%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiologists' recommendations were generally followed for important incidental findings. These recommendations can direct the most cost-efficient and effective care for incidental findings. Although some patients with incidental findings had probable benefit, others incurred morbidity or mortality. A small number of invasive procedures resulted in substantial costs in this symptomatic population. Costs averaged over the entire population were higher than have been previously reported.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, University of Alabama Birmingham, 619 19th St S, Birmingham, AL 35249-6830.
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Lincoln L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Berland
authors.forename: Sergey S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ananyev
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lockhart
authors.forename: Peter N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Kolettis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000407:Alabama / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006417:Hematuria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010819:Physician's Role; D011871:Radiology / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014600:Utilization Review
keywords: CT; costs; hematuria; incidental findings