Mediastinal Lymph Nodes
Radiology reports of the chest can sometimes mention “mediastinal lymph nodes”. These nodes are a normal part of your immune system but can be mentioned when enlarged or abnormal in…
Author: A. Mendelson, MD
Vascular Calcifications
If you’ve had an X-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound, you might see the term “vascular calcifications” in your radiology report. This can sound alarming, but in many cases, it’s simply…
When to Worry about Lung Nodules?
Finding a lung nodule on a radiology report can be unsettling. These small spots, often found during routine chest X-rays or CT scans, raise concerns about lung cancer and other…
Spiculated Lung Nodule
A spiculated lung nodule is a term you may see on a radiology report after having a chest CT scan or X-ray. This description refers to a lung nodule— a…
Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer
Stage 4 esophageal cancer is an advanced form of cancer that has spread beyond the esophagus to other parts of the body. Radiology plays an important role in detecting, staging,…
Enlarged Thymus
The thymus is a small gland located in the upper chest, behind the sternum and in front of the heart. It plays an important role in the immune system, particularly…
Mediastinal Shift
Mediastinal shift is a term mentioned in radiology reports when imaging the chest. It refers to the movement of the mediastinum—the central compartment of the chest containing the heart, trachea,…
Air Bronchogram
You may come across the term “air bronchogram” when reading a radiology report concerning the chest. This finding may be seen on chest X-rays and CT scans. This article will…
Patulous Esophagus
Patulous esophagus is a condition where the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach, remains abnormally open. This finding is often detected during radiological imaging,…
What is an Empyema?
Empyema is a collection of pus in the space between the lung and the chest wall, called the pleural space. An empyema can be visualized on imaging studies of the…
Tortuous Aorta
A tortuous aorta is a common finding on imaging reports, often seen in older adults. If you’ve had a chest X-ray or CT scan and your radiology report mentions a…
Septic Emboli
Septic emboli indicate an underlying infection that has spread through the bloodstream to another site in the body. These infected clots travel to different organs, most commonly the lungs, brain,…