Partial Volume Averaging Artifact on Radiology Reports: What It Means
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…
General Imaging
Recommend “Recommend MRI for Further Evaluation” on Radiology Reports: What It Means
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…
Suspected Metastatic Disease on Radiology Reports: What It Means
“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….
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…
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,…
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…
Short-Interval Follow-Up on Radiology Reports: What It Means
When a radiology report says short-interval follow-up, it means the radiologist wants you to come back sooner than usual for another scan. This doesn’t automatically mean there’s a serious problem….
Stable Compared to Prior on Radiology Reports: What It Means
When you receive a radiology report, you may notice the phrase “stable compared to prior.” In radiology, doctors carefully compare current scans—like X-rays, CTs, or MRIs—to older studies to see…
Incidentaloma on Radiology Reports: What It Means
When people undergo imaging such as CT, MRI, or ultrasound, radiologists sometimes discover a finding that is unexpected and not contributing to the patients symptoms. These are called incidentalomas—findings that…
Remote versus Acute Fracture on Radiology Reports: What It Means
When a radiology report uses the terms remote fracture or acute fracture, it is describing how old a bone break is. These words help doctors determine whether the injury is…
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…