Radiologists find satisfaction in detecting abnormalities and making diagnoses. However, our judgement is required when we identify incidental findings, especially if the cost of workup is high and the benefit of workup may be low. The incidental thyroid nodule is a scenario in which we need to carefully consider the consequences of our report and recommendations.
See recent blog from Duke on Radiopaedia:
http://radiopaedia.org/blog/reporting-of-incidental-thyroid-nodules-on-ct-and-mri-1
You can download a copy of the guidelines from Duke at this website.
What to do with incidental thyroid nodules on CT, MRI and PET?
