The diagnostic dilemma of incidentalomas - Working through uncertainty

This article outlines one diagnostic approach using medical:decision making techniques such as heuristic thinking, critical appraisal of the literatur e, treatment threshold probability assessment, Bayes' theorem and discrimin ant properties of diagnostic tests. These techniques are illustrated with c ases of incidentalomas involving the adrenal, thyroid, and pituitary. Using the skills provides a framework, albeit not the only framework, for workin g through the diagnostic uncertainty that pervades the clinical practice of medicine.