Beware the consequences of your imaging

Advanced imaging, especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has added to our clinical diagnostic capabilities. With this advancement, however, has come the added responsibility of determining clinically significant MRI findings from "incidental findings" of no clinical relevance. It is most important for the clinician to be aware of the occurrence of abnormal findings in asymptomatic populations to place the imaging findings in the context of the history and physical examination to ensure we "treat the patient, not the imaging." Frequently imaged joints are reviewed highlighting these issues.