ct / mri
Adrenal Adenoma
An adrenal adenoma is a usually benign adrenal gland nodule often found incidentally.
Incidental adrenal nodules are common on abdominal imaging.
Read the guideFindings Library
Plain-English guides to common radiology findings
These pages explain common report terms in educational language. They are designed to support conversations with your clinician, not to diagnose disease or recommend treatment.
Currently covering 21 common findings across multiple body regions.
Abdomen
ct / colonoscopy / contrast-enema
Diverticulosis
Diverticulosis means small pouches are present in the colon wall, often found incidentally on abdominal imaging.
Diverticulosis is a very common age-related abdominal finding.
Read the guideultrasound / ct / mri
Gallstones
Gallstones are solid deposits in the gallbladder seen on imaging.
Gallstones are common and are often seen incidentally on abdominal imaging.
Read the guidect / ultrasound / mri
Hepatic Steatosis
Hepatic steatosis means fat was seen in the liver on imaging.
Fatty liver is a very common imaging finding on abdominal scans.
Read the guidect / ultrasound / mri
Kidney Cyst
A kidney cyst is a fluid-filled sac in the kidney, often found incidentally.
Simple kidney cysts are common, especially with increasing age.
Read the guidect / ultrasound / mri
Liver Lesion
Liver lesion is a broad term for a focal area in the liver that looks different from surrounding tissue.
Focal liver findings are commonly reported because abdominal imaging is common and many lesions are found incidentally.
Read the guidect / mri / mrcp
Pancreatic Cyst
A pancreatic cyst is a fluid-containing lesion in the pancreas seen on imaging.
Incidental pancreatic cysts are being reported more often as abdominal imaging becomes more common.
Read the guidect / mri / ultrasound
Renal Mass
A renal mass is a focal area in the kidney that looks different from surrounding tissue on imaging.
Renal masses are less common than simple kidney cysts but are routinely found on abdominal imaging.
Read the guidect / ultrasound / mri
Splenomegaly
Splenomegaly means the spleen is enlarged on imaging.
Splenomegaly is less common than incidental cysts or fatty liver, but it is a standard descriptive finding on abdominal imaging.
Read the guideBrain
mri / ct
Brain Lesion
Brain lesion is a broad term for an abnormal area seen in the brain on imaging.
The word lesion is common in radiology reporting because it is a general descriptor, but the detailed pattern matters much more than the word itself.
Read the guideChest
ct
Ground-Glass Opacity
Ground-glass opacity is a hazy area in the lung seen on CT that does not fully hide the lung structures underneath.
Ground-glass opacity is a common chest CT term, but its importance depends on pattern and persistence.
Read the guidect / xray / upper-gi
Hiatal Hernia
Hiatal hernia means part of the stomach extends upward through the diaphragm.
Hiatal hernia is a common incidental finding, especially in adults and older patients.
Read the guidect
Lung Nodule
A lung nodule is a small spot in the lung, often found incidentally on chest CT.
Small pulmonary nodules are common incidental findings on chest CT.
Read the guidexray / ct
Lung Opacity
Lung opacity is a broad radiology term for an area of increased density in the lung on imaging.
Opacity is one of the most common descriptive terms in chest imaging reports.
Read the guidect
Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolism means a blood clot is seen in the arteries of the lungs.
Pulmonary embolism is less common than incidental benign findings, but it is a standard chest imaging diagnosis.
Read the guideNeck
ultrasound / ct / mri
Thyroid Nodule
A thyroid nodule is a focal lump or small area in the thyroid gland seen on imaging.
Thyroid nodules are common and are often found on ultrasound or incidentally on CT or MRI.
Read the guidePelvis
ultrasound / ct / mri
Ovarian Cyst
An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled structure in or on the ovary, commonly seen on pelvic imaging.
Ovarian cysts are very common on pelvic imaging, particularly in premenopausal patients.
Read the guideSpine
mri / ct / xray
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease means the spinal discs show age-related wear or dehydration on imaging.
Degenerative disc change is extremely common on spine imaging, especially with age.
Read the guidemri / ct
Disc Bulge
Disc bulge means a spinal disc extends beyond its usual margin in a broad, generalized way.
Disc bulges are very common on spine imaging, especially with age.
Read the guidemri / ct
Disc Herniation
Disc herniation means part of a spinal disc is bulging or displaced beyond its usual space.
Disc bulges and herniations are common on spine imaging, especially with age and degenerative change.
Read the guidemri / ct
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis means the spinal canal is narrower than expected on imaging.
Spinal stenosis is a common degenerative spine imaging finding, especially with age.
Read the guideImportant Notice
Educational use only. RadDx does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or clinician supervision.
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