“Spinal stenosis” means narrowing of the spinal canal or bony tunnel that surrounds the spinal cord. On MRI, radiologists describe the degree of narrowing as mild, moderate, or severe…
A Schmorl node is a common finding on spine MRI. It occurs when part of a spinal disc pushes into the adjacent vertebral bone, creating a small pit or indentation….
Partial volume averaging is a common imaging artifact found on studies like CT or MRI. This occurs when tissues get blended together within a single image slice or voxel. The…
When a radiology report says “recommend MRI for further evaluation,” it means the imaging doctor (radiologist) saw something that would be best evaluated with an MRI scan. It does not…
A perianal fistula is a small tunnel that forms between the anal canal and the skin near the anus. An MRI of the pelvis maps this tunnel system in detail…
Hydrosalpinx means a fallopian tube is blocked and filled with fluid. On an ultrasound report, it tells you the sonographer saw a fluid-filled, tube-shaped structure next to the ovary. This…
Diverticulitis is an inflammation of small pouches in the colon called diverticula. When symptoms are significant, a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is often used to confirm the…
“Suspected metastatic disease” on a radiology report means that the cancer may have spread from its original site to another part of the body. This phrase signals concern, not certainty….
Cervical spondylosis is a common finding on MRI scans of the neck. It refers to age-related wear and tear changes in the cervical spine, which includes the bones, discs, joints,…
Radiology reports of the abdomen sometimes mention an “indeterminate liver lesion.” This phrase simply means that the radiologist saw a spot or area in the liver for which a…
Radiology reports often use terms like atelectasis and consolidation to describe findings in the lungs. These are imaging patterns that look similar but represent different processes. Atelectasis refers to lung…
A radiology report of the chest can mention “mediastinal lymph nodes of borderline size.” The mediastinum is the central part of the chest, located between the lungs, that contains the…