incidental discovery

[ɪnˈsɪdɛntəl dɪˈskʌvəri]
nounpl: incidental discoveries
descoberta incidental
1. An unexpected or unplanned finding or observation made while conducting research, investigation, or any other activity, not the primary objective of the effort
The incidental discovery of penicillin by Fleming revolutionized medicine.
A descoberta incidental da penicilina por Fleming revolucionou a medicina.
2. In legal and medical contexts, a finding that is unrelated to the original purpose of an examination or procedure
During the CT scan, an incidental discovery of a small tumor was made.
Durante a tomografia, foi feita uma descoberta incidental de um pequeno tumor.
3. Something found by chance or luck rather than deliberate searching
The antique shop's incidental discovery of a rare manuscript delighted the owner.
A descoberta incidental de um manuscrito raro na loja de antiguidades deliciou o proprietário.
The term 'incidental discovery' is widely used in both American and Brazilian medical and scientific communities. In Brazil, it appears frequently in radiology reports and medical literature as 'achado incidental' or 'descoberta incidental.' This concept has gained importance in medical ethics discussions regarding what should be disclosed to patients when imaging or tests reveal unexpected findings unrelated to the original diagnosis.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
accidental discoverychance findingserendipitous discoveryincidental findingunexpected discovery
Antonyms / Antônimos
deliberate discoveryintentional findingplanned discoverytargeted finding

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
descoberta incidental
Standard term used in medical and scientific contexts
General Brazilian
achado incidental
Common medical terminology alternative
São Paulo
descoberta acidental
Alternative form sometimes used in professional contexts
Portugal
descoberta incidental
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; standard in European medical literature

Related Words

serendipityincidentaldiscoveryfindingincidental findingschance occurrencehappenstancebyproduct

Related Idioms & Phrases

stumble upon something
come across by chance
find by accident
strike gold
happy accident
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