- Incidental findings are common: About 30% of trauma patients undergoing whole-body CT have findings that prompt follow-up, workup, or treatment.
- Urgent findings are less frequent but meaningful: Approximately 7.6% require urgent intervention.
- Serious diagnoses are uncommon: Incidental findings lead to confirmed cancers in 0.6% and emergent vascular conditions in 0.3% of patients.
- Findings vary by scan scope: Most are detected in the chest, abdomen, or pelvis, with lower rates in more limited imaging.
- Evidence has important limitations: Estimates are based largely on retrospective, heterogeneous data with inconsistent follow-up and limited patient outcome reporting.
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