Indeterminate for Cancer on Radiology Reports: What It Means
If you see the phrase “indeterminate for cancer” on your CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, or PET scan report, it can feel alarming. The word cancer stands out. The word indeterminate…
Brain, Neck & Spine
Synovial Cyst of the Spine on Radiology Reports: What It Means
A “synovial cyst of the spine” is a benign (non-cancerous) finding that relates to normal wear and tear in the joints of your spine. MRI helps with diagnosing synovial cysts…
Facet Arthropathy on CT and MRI: What It Means
CT or MRI reports of the spine often mention facet arthropathy, facet joint arthritis, or facet degeneration. This simply reflects common wear-and-tear of the spine’s small joints. This article explains…
Spinal Stenosis (Mild, Moderate, Severe) on Radiology Reports: What It Means
“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…
Schmorl Node on Radiology Reports: What It Means
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….
Cervical Spondylosis on MRI: What It Means
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,…
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…
Mass Effect on Radiology Reports: What It Means
Mass effect is a term used in CT and MRI reports to describe pressure or displacement of brain structures. It does not identify a specific disease but indicates that something…
Buccinator Muscle
The buccinator muscle plays an important role in everyday actions like chewing, speaking, and even blowing air. Radiologists may comment on it when evaluating the face and mouth on CT…
Suboccipital
When the term suboccipital appears in a radiology report, it refers to the area just below the back of the skull. This region is small but important because it contains…
Styloid Process
The styloid process is a slender, pointed piece of bone located just below the ear, projecting from the temporal bone of the skull. It serves as an anchor point for…
Osteoma
An osteoma is a benign bone growth that often appears on imaging studies performed for other reasons. These growths develop slowly, are usually painless, and most commonly occur in the…