[Incidental findings in gastroenterology. Preventing overdiagnosis]

The use of diagnostic imaging procedures and laboratory investigations in gastroenterology can sometimes lead to findings of questionable value. This highlights the problem--also from the point of view of costs--of deciding whether further diagnostic investigation is necessary or not. No requirement for action is given, for example, in the case of shallow diverticula in the esophagus, hiatal hernia in the absence of reflux symptoms, in the case of small cysts or hemangiomas in the liver, polyps on the wall of the gallbladder, hyperplasia of Brunner's glands in the duodenum or fungi in the stools of immunocompetent persons. Of a controversial nature are the recommendations with regard to Helicobacter pylori gastritis, and non-symptomatic gallstones. Further diagnostic clarification is certainly required when such findings as fatty liver, diverticula in the colon or pancreas divisum are encountered.