Indeterminate Liver Lesion on Radiology Reports: What It Means
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…
Author: A. Mendelson, MD
Atelectasis vs Consolidation on Radiology Reports: What It Means
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…
Mediastinal Lymph Nodes Borderline Size on Radiology Reports: What It Means
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…
Traction Bronchiectasis on Radiology Reports: What It Means
Traction bronchiectasis on a chest CT report refers to airways (bronchi or bronchioles) that are pulled open or stretched because of nearby scarring or fibrosis (lung tissue damage). This is…
Pleural Plaque on Radiology Reports: What It Means
Pleural plaques are described on radiology reports of the chest. They are usually benign and do not directly cause serious illness. They represent a form of scarring on the lining…
Recommend Correlation with Labs on Radiology Reports: What It Means
When you receive a radiology report, you might notice the phrase “recommend correlation with labs.” This means the imaging findings are not enough on their own, and your doctor should…
Pleural Thickening on Radiology Reports: What It Means
Pleural thickening is a term found on radiology reports of the chest. The pleura are thin layers of tissue that line the lungs and the inside of the chest wall….
Subpleural Reticulation on Radiology Reports: What It Means
When you read a chest CT or X-ray report, you may see the term “subpleural reticulation.” In simple terms, it describes a certain type of pattern that radiologists see in…
MRI With Contrast Side Effects
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sometimes uses an injectable contrast dye to make tissues and abnormalities easier to see. Most MRI contrast agents contain gadolinium. They help radiologists spot small tumors,…
Nonspecific White Matter Changes on Radiology Reports: What It Means
Brain MRI reports may mention “nonspecific white matter changes.” These words don’t point to a single disease. Rather, they describe areas in the brain’s white matter (the part connecting different…
Pulmonary Micronodules on Radiology Reports: What It Means
Pulmonary micronodule is a term you may see on a chest CT report. This is simply a descriptive word radiologists use when they see very small spots in the lungs….
Central Necrosis on Radiology Reports: What It Means
When you see the phrase “central necrosis” on a radiology report, it refers to an area in the middle of a mass or tissue that has died. This finding is…