Findings 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 93 common findings across multiple body regions.

Visit the radiology hub Browse symptom guides

Abdomen

ct / mri / ultrasound

Abdominal Lymphadenopathy

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

Abdominal Lymphadenopathy is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

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.

ct / ultrasound / mri

Adrenal Hyperplasia

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

Adrenal Hyperplasia is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / ultrasound / mri

Adrenal Mass

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

Adrenal Mass is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / mri / ultrasound

Appendicitis On CT

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

Appendicitis On CT is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / ultrasound / mri

Appendicolith

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

ct / mri / ultrasound

Ascites

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

Ascites is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ultrasound / ct / mri

Biliary Duct Dilation

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

Biliary Duct Dilation is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / mri / ultrasound

Bowel Wall Thickening

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

Bowel Wall Thickening is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ultrasound / ct / mri

Cholecystitis

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

Cholecystitis is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ultrasound / ct / mri

Cholelithiasis

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

Cholelithiasis is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / ultrasound / mri

Chronic Small Vessel Ischemic Changes

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

ct / mri / ultrasound

Cirrhotic Liver

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

Cirrhotic Liver is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / mri / ultrasound

Colonic Mass

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

Colonic Mass is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / mri / ultrasound

Colonic Polyp

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

Colonic Polyp is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ultrasound / ct / mri

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.

Common Bile Duct Dilation is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / ultrasound / mri

Complex Renal Cyst

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

Complex Renal Cyst is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / mri / ultrasound

Diverticulitis

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

Diverticulitis is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

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.

ct / ultrasound / mri

Enlarged Mediastinal Lymph Node

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

ct / mri / ultrasound

Fatty Liver

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

Fatty Liver is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ultrasound / ct / mri

Gallstones

Gallstones are solid deposits in the gallbladder seen on imaging.

Gallstones are common and are often seen incidentally on abdominal imaging.

ultrasound / ct / mri

Hepatic Hemangioma

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

ct / 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.

ct / ultrasound / mri

Hydronephrosis

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

Hydronephrosis is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / 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.

ct / mri / ultrasound

Liver Cyst

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

Liver Cyst is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / 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.

ct / ultrasound / mri

Mesenteric Lymphadenopathy

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

ct / 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.

ct / mri

Pancreatic Duct Dilation

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

Pancreatic Duct Dilation is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / ultrasound / mri

Renal Atrophy

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

Renal Atrophy is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / 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.

ct / ultrasound / mri

Renal Scarring

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

Renal Scarring is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / 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.

Brain

mri / ct

Arachnoid Cyst

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

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.

mri / ct

Meningioma

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

mri / ct

White Matter Hyperintensities

White Matter Hyperintensities is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

Chest

ct / xray

Air Trapping

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

Air Trapping is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / xray / mri

Aortic Aneurysm

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

Aortic Aneurysm is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / xray / mri

Aortic Atherosclerosis

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

ct / xray / mri

Aortic Dissection

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

Aortic Dissection is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / xray / mri

Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

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

Ascending Aortic Aneurysm is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / xray

Calcified Lung Nodule

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

Calcified Lung Nodule is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / xray / mri

Cardiomegaly

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

Cardiomegaly is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / xray / mri

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.

Coronary Artery Calcification is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / xray / mri

Descending Aortic Aneurysm

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

Descending Aortic Aneurysm is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

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.

ct / 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.

ct

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.

xray / 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.

ct / xray

Mastoid Effusion

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

ct / xray / mri

Pericardial Effusion

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

Pericardial Effusion is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / xray

Pleural Plaque

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

ct

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.

ct / xray

Pulmonary Scarring

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

ct / xray

Sinusitis

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

General

ct / mri / ultrasound

Atelectasis

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

Atelectasis is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / mri / ultrasound

Benign Calcification

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

Benign Calcification is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / mri / ultrasound

Bronchiectasis

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

Bronchiectasis is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / mri / ultrasound

Emphysema

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

Emphysema is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / mri / ultrasound

Enlarged Lymph Nodes Chest

Enlarged Lymph Nodes Chest is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Enlarged Lymph Nodes Chest is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / mri / ultrasound

Focal Nodular Hyperplasia

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

Focal Nodular Hyperplasia is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

Musculoskeletal

mri / ct / xray / ultrasound

Axillary Lymph Node

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

mri / ct / xray / ultrasound

Baker Cyst

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

Baker Cyst is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

mri / ct / xray / ultrasound

Bone Cyst

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

Bone Cyst is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

mri / ct / xray / ultrasound

Bone Island

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

mri / ct / xray / ultrasound

Bone Lesion

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

Bone Lesion is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

mri / ct / xray / ultrasound

Bone Tumor

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

Bone Tumor is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

mri / ct / xray / ultrasound

Breast Calcification

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

mri / ct / xray / ultrasound

Sacroiliitis

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

Sacroiliitis is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

Neck

ultrasound / ct / mri

Carotid Calcification

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

ultrasound / ct / mri

Enlarged Cervical Lymph Node

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

ultrasound / ct / mri

Thyroid Enlargement

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

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.

Pelvis

ct / ultrasound

Bladder Mass

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

Bladder Mass is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / ultrasound

Bladder Stone

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

Bladder Stone is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / ultrasound

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.

Bladder Wall Thickening is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ultrasound / ct / mri

Endometrial Thickening

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

Endometrial Thickening is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ct / ultrasound

Enlarged Prostate

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

Enlarged Prostate is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

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.

ultrasound / ct / mri

Ovarian Mass

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

Ovarian Mass is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ultrasound / ct / mri

Pelvic Free Fluid

Pelvic Free Fluid is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

ct / ultrasound

Prostate Enlargement

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

Prostate Enlargement is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

ultrasound / ct / mri

Uterine Fibroid

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

Uterine Fibroid is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

Spine

mri / ct / xray

Compression Fracture

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

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.

mri / 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.

mri / 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.

mri / ct / xray

Facet Arthropathy

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

Facet Arthropathy is a reasonable consumer-search topic because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are released.

mri / ct / xray

Scoliosis

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

This is a reasonable consumer-search finding because people often look it up after CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray results are posted.

mri / 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.

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