Radiology Report Terms Explained in Plain English

Adrenal Adenoma

An adrenal adenoma is a usually benign adrenal gland nodule often found incidentally.

Aortic Atherosclerosis

Aortic Atherosclerosis is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.

Appendicolith

Appendicolith is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.

Arachnoid Cyst

Arachnoid Cyst is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.

Atelectasis

Atelectasis is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Axillary Lymph Node

Axillary Lymph Node is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.

Bladder Wall Thickening

Bladder Wall Thickening is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Bone Island

Bone Island is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.

Brain Lesion

Brain lesion is a broad term for an abnormal area seen in the brain on imaging.

Breast Calcification

Breast Calcification is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Cardiomegaly

Cardiomegaly is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Carotid Calcification

Carotid Calcification is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.

Chronic Small Vessel Ischemic Changes

Chronic Small Vessel Ischemic Changes is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.

Common Bile Duct Dilation

Common Bile Duct Dilation is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Compression Fracture

Compression Fracture is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.

Coronary Artery Calcification

Coronary Artery Calcification is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease means the spinal discs show age-related wear or dehydration on imaging.

Disc Bulge

Disc bulge means a spinal disc extends beyond its usual margin in a broad, generalized way.

Disc Herniation

Disc herniation means part of a spinal disc is bulging or displaced beyond its usual space.

Diverticulosis

Diverticulosis means small pouches are present in the colon wall, often found incidentally on abdominal imaging.

Emphysema

Emphysema is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Gallstones

Gallstones are solid deposits in the gallbladder seen on imaging.

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.

Hepatic Steatosis

Hepatic steatosis means fat was seen in the liver on imaging.

Hiatal Hernia

Hiatal hernia means part of the stomach extends upward through the diaphragm.

Kidney Cyst

A kidney cyst is a fluid-filled sac in the kidney, often found incidentally.

Liver Lesion

Liver lesion is a broad term for a focal area in the liver that looks different from surrounding tissue.

Lung Nodule

A lung nodule is a small spot in the lung, often found incidentally on chest CT.

Lung Opacity

Lung opacity is a broad radiology term for an area of increased density in the lung on imaging.

Ovarian Cyst

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled structure in or on the ovary, commonly seen on pelvic imaging.

Pancreatic Cyst

A pancreatic cyst is a fluid-containing lesion in the pancreas seen on imaging.

Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism means a blood clot is seen in the arteries of the lungs.

Renal Mass

A renal mass is a focal area in the kidney that looks different from surrounding tissue on imaging.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis means the spinal canal is narrower than expected on imaging.

Splenomegaly

Splenomegaly means the spleen is enlarged on imaging.

Thyroid Nodule

A thyroid nodule is a focal lump or small area in the thyroid gland seen on imaging.

Acute pulmonary embolism in the right lower lobe pulmonary artery.

"Acute pulmonary embolism in the right lower lobe pulmonary artery." is radiology report language linked to pulmonary embolism and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Broad-based disc bulge at L4-L5.

"Broad-based disc bulge at L4-L5." is radiology report language linked to disc bulge and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Cholelithiasis without evidence of acute cholecystitis.

"Cholelithiasis without evidence of acute cholecystitis." is radiology report language linked to gallstones and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Complex adnexal cystic lesion, ultrasound follow-up recommended.

"Complex adnexal cystic lesion, ultrasound follow-up recommended." is radiology report language linked to ovarian cyst and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Complex cystic lesion of the left kidney, further characterization recommended.

"Complex cystic lesion of the left kidney, further characterization recommended." is radiology report language linked to kidney cyst and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Diffuse hepatic steatosis.

"Diffuse hepatic steatosis." is radiology report language linked to hepatic steatosis and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Disc extrusion causing mass effect on the traversing nerve root.

"Disc extrusion causing mass effect on the traversing nerve root." is radiology report language linked to disc herniation and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Enhancing lesion in the left frontal lobe.

"Enhancing lesion in the left frontal lobe." is radiology report language linked to brain lesion and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Enlarged spleen measuring 15 cm in length.

"Enlarged spleen measuring 15 cm in length." is radiology report language linked to splenomegaly and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Findings compatible with pulmonary embolism with evidence of right heart strain.

"Findings compatible with pulmonary embolism with evidence of right heart strain." is radiology report language linked to pulmonary embolism and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Gallstones within the gallbladder lumen.

"Gallstones within the gallbladder lumen." is radiology report language linked to gallstones and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

hepatic lesion

"hepatic lesion" is radiology report language linked to liver lesion and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

hypodense liver lesion

"hypodense liver lesion" is radiology report language linked to liver lesion and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

incidental pulmonary nodule

"incidental pulmonary nodule" is radiology report language linked to lung nodule and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Incidental solid pulmonary nodule, follow-up per risk guidelines.

"Incidental solid pulmonary nodule, follow-up per risk guidelines." is radiology report language linked to lung nodule and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Indeterminate adrenal nodule, correlation with dedicated adrenal protocol recommended.

"Indeterminate adrenal nodule, correlation with dedicated adrenal protocol recommended." is radiology report language linked to adrenal adenoma and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Indeterminate enhancing renal mass in the left kidney.

"Indeterminate enhancing renal mass in the left kidney." is radiology report language linked to renal mass and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Indeterminate liver lesion in segment IV.

"Indeterminate liver lesion in segment IV." is radiology report language linked to liver lesion and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Left adrenal adenoma.

"Left adrenal adenoma." is radiology report language linked to adrenal adenoma and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Left basilar airspace opacity, correlate for pneumonia.

"Left basilar airspace opacity, correlate for pneumonia." is radiology report language linked to lung opacity and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Left paracentral disc herniation at L5-S1.

"Left paracentral disc herniation at L5-S1." is radiology report language linked to disc herniation and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

mild diffuse hepatic steatosis

"mild diffuse hepatic steatosis" is radiology report language linked to hepatic steatosis and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Mild fatty infiltration of the liver.

"Mild fatty infiltration of the liver." is radiology report language linked to hepatic steatosis and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

mild hepatic steatosis

"mild hepatic steatosis" is radiology report language linked to hepatic steatosis and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Mild posterior disc bulge without significant canal stenosis.

"Mild posterior disc bulge without significant canal stenosis." is radiology report language linked to disc bulge and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Mild splenomegaly.

"Mild splenomegaly." is radiology report language linked to splenomegaly and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Moderate cervical degenerative disc change with disc space narrowing.

"Moderate cervical degenerative disc change with disc space narrowing." is radiology report language linked to degenerative disc disease and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Moderate hiatal hernia noted incidentally.

"Moderate hiatal hernia noted incidentally." is radiology report language linked to hiatal hernia and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Moderate lumbar spinal stenosis at L4-L5.

"Moderate lumbar spinal stenosis at L4-L5." is radiology report language linked to spinal stenosis and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

"Multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine." is radiology report language linked to degenerative disc disease and is best understood in the context of the full imaging report.

Lung Nodule

A lung nodule is a small spot in the lung, often found incidentally on chest CT.

Liver Lesion

Liver lesion is a broad term for a focal area in the liver that looks different from surrounding tissue.

Renal Mass

A renal mass is a focal area in the kidney that looks different from surrounding tissue on imaging.

Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism means a blood clot is seen in the arteries of the lungs.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis means the spinal canal is narrower than expected on imaging.

Thyroid Nodule

A thyroid nodule is a focal lump or small area in the thyroid gland seen on imaging.

Bloating: Imaging-Related Causes Doctors May Consider

Bloating is a symptom search that can overlap with several structural and non-structural causes. Imaging may be used when clinicians need radiology clues that fit the rest of the history and exam.

Blood In Urine: Imaging-Related Causes Doctors May Consider

Blood In Urine is a symptom search that can overlap with several structural and non-structural causes. Imaging may be used when clinicians need radiology clues that fit the rest of the history and exam.

Chest Pain When Breathing: Why Imaging Might Be Used

Chest pain that worsens with breathing can raise concern for pleural irritation, lung-base inflammation, pulmonary embolism, or chest wall causes. Imaging helps narrow the possibilities when symptoms are concerning.

Chronic Cough: Imaging-Related Causes Doctors May Consider

Chronic Cough is a common symptom search that can overlap with several organs or body systems. Imaging is usually ordered when clinicians need structural clues that fit the rest of the history and exam.

Dizziness: Imaging-Related Causes Doctors May Consider

Dizziness is a common symptom search that can overlap with several organs or body systems. Imaging is usually ordered when clinicians need structural clues that fit the rest of the history and exam.

Flank Pain: Imaging Findings Doctors May Look For

Flank pain can reflect kidney, ureter, musculoskeletal, or referred abdominal causes. Imaging is used when stone disease, obstruction, infection, or another structural issue is suspected.