What Do My Scan Results Mean? A Plain-English Guide

After your scan, a specialist doctor called a radiologist reviews your images and writes a detailed report. This process typically takes:

• X-ray: 24-48 hours • Ultrasound: 24-48 hours • CT scan: 1-2 business days • MRI: 2-3 business days • PET scan: 3-5 business days

The report is sent directly to your referring doctor (the GP or specialist who wrote your referral). They are the best person to explain what the results mean for your specific situation.

Some clinics offer patient access portals where you can view your report online. However, it's still important to discuss results with your doctor - they can interpret findings in the context of your full medical history and determine appropriate next steps.

If something urgent or critical is found (e.g., a fracture, blood clot, or unexpected mass), the radiologist will typically phone your doctor immediately. You don't need to worry about urgent findings being missed.

A standard radiology report follows a consistent structure:

1. Header - your name, date of birth, scan date, and referring doctor's details 2. Clinical indication - why the scan was ordered (from your referral) 3. Technique - what type of scan was performed and how (e.g., "MRI left knee without contrast, 3T scanner") 4. Comparison - whether previous scans were available for comparison 5. Findings - the detailed description of what the radiologist observes. This is the main body and often the longest section. 6. Impression / Conclusion - a summary of the key findings and the radiologist's interpretation. This is usually the most important section for you and your doctor.

The "Impression" section at the bottom is where the radiologist answers the clinical question posed by your referral. It's written more concisely and is often the section your doctor focuses on when discussing results with you.

For a comprehensive breakdown of report structure, see our guide on understanding your radiology report.

Radiology reports use specific terminology that can sound alarming but often has mundane meanings:

Normal findings: • "Unremarkable" - means normal, nothing abnormal found • "No acute abnormality" - nothing urgent or unexpected; there may be minor age-related changes • "Within normal limits" - the measurements or appearance fall within the expected range • "No significant interval change" - compared to a previous scan, nothing has changed significantly

Common non-alarming findings: • "Degenerative changes" - normal wear-and-tear, common in spines and joints as people age. NOT a disease process, just ageing. • "Incidental finding" - something noticed that wasn't the reason for the scan. Usually benign and unrelated. • "Benign" - non-cancerous. A benign finding does not require cancer treatment. • "Simple cyst" - a fluid-filled sac that is almost always harmless. Extremely common in kidneys, liver, and ovaries. • "Mild disc bulge" - very common in adults over 30. Often found in people with no symptoms at all.

Terms that need attention (but don't panic): • "Lesion" - a general term for any abnormality. It does NOT mean cancer. It simply means "an area that looks different from surrounding tissue." • "Cannot be excluded" - the radiologist can't definitively rule something out from the images alone. Further investigation may be suggested. • "Correlation recommended" - the radiologist suggests comparing findings with your symptoms or other tests for a complete picture. • "Follow-up recommended" - a repeat scan is suggested after a period of time to monitor a finding.

Here are real examples of radiology report findings translated into plain English:

"Small joint effusion" - There's a small amount of extra fluid in the joint. Common after injury or with arthritis. Often resolves on its own.

"Partial thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon" - Part of one of the rotator cuff tendons in your shoulder is torn (but not completely through). May be managed with physio or surgery depending on severity.

"Disc desiccation at L4/5 and L5/S1" - The discs in your lower back have lost some water content (dried out). This is a normal ageing process and is almost universal in adults over 40.

"No evidence of pulmonary embolism" - Good news - no blood clot found in the lungs. This was the question the scan was investigating.

"3mm gallstone in gallbladder neck" - A small stone was found in your gallbladder. May or may not cause symptoms. Your doctor will discuss whether treatment is needed.

"No fracture identified" - The bone is intact. This doesn't necessarily mean there's no injury - soft tissue injuries (ligaments, muscles) don't show on X-ray and may need ultrasound or MRI.

First and most importantly: if something truly urgent is found, the radiologist will notify your doctor immediately - often by phone call. You don't need to chase urgent results.

Signals that your doctor will want to discuss results promptly: • You receive a call from your doctor's office asking you to come in sooner than planned • The report recommends urgent follow-up or further investigation • The findings differ significantly from what was expected

Signs you likely don't need to worry: • You're asked to book a routine follow-up (not urgently) • The report says "no acute abnormality" or "unremarkable" • Findings are described as "mild," "minor," "stable," or "degenerative" • "Incidental findings" are noted with no recommended follow-up

Important context: many findings that sound scary in a report are actually very common and don't require treatment. For example, disc bulges are found in 50-80% of adults over 40 who have zero back pain. Small kidney cysts are present in over 30% of adults. These are usually documented for completeness, not because they're causing problems.

Always discuss your results with your referring doctor rather than self-interpreting the report.

The path after results depends on what was found:

If results are normal: • Your doctor will confirm and reassure you • If symptoms persist despite normal imaging, your doctor may investigate other causes or refer to a specialist • No further imaging is usually needed

If something is found: • Your doctor will explain the finding and its significance • They may refer you to a specialist (e.g., orthopaedic surgeon for a torn ligament, oncologist for a suspicious mass) • You may need follow-up imaging in 3-12 months to monitor a finding • Treatment may be recommended (medication, surgery, physiotherapy, etc.)

If results are unclear: • Additional imaging may be requested (e.g., an ultrasound to clarify a finding on X-ray, or an MRI to get more detail after CT) • A biopsy might be recommended for certain findings • "Watchful waiting" - repeat scan in 3-6 months to see if a finding changes

Remember: you have the right to request a copy of your images and report. Keep them for your records - they're useful for future reference, specialist appointments, and comparison with later scans.

Need to book a follow-up scan? Search for clinics on Radly to find the best option near you.

Getting the most out of your results appointment:

Before the appointment: • Read your report if you have access (through a patient portal or request a copy) • Write down questions - what does this finding mean? Is it serious? What are my options? Do I need more tests? • Note your current symptoms - have they changed since the scan?

During the appointment: • Ask your doctor to explain the findings in plain English • Ask specifically: "Is this something I need to worry about?" • Ask: "What are the next steps?" and "When do I need to follow up?" • If you don't understand something, say so - your doctor would rather explain again than have you leave confused • Ask for a printed copy of the report to take home

After the appointment: • Follow through on any recommended actions (specialist referral, follow-up scan, treatment) • If a follow-up scan is needed, book it through Radly - set a calendar reminder so you don't forget • Keep your report filed somewhere accessible - you may need it for future doctors or insurance

If you still have questions about your report after seeing your doctor, our guide on understanding your radiology report breaks down common terminology section by section.