How to Read Your Imaging Results: A Patient’s Guide

Understand what your scan is really telling you—without the confusion.

You Just Had a Scan—Now What?

Whether you’ve undergone an MRI, CT scan, PET scan, or X-ray, getting your imaging results can bring a mix of emotions: relief, anxiety, hope, or even confusion. The report arrives, full of medical terms, abbreviations, and anatomy you haven’t thought about since high school biology.

You’re not alone—many patients struggle to understand their imaging reports, and unfortunately, most aren’t written for a non-medical audience.

That’s why we’ve created this guide. While your doctor will always be the final interpreter of your results, this article will help you:

Understand how imaging reports are structured
Decode common terminology
Ask the right questions
Feel more empowered in your care

What’s in an Imaging Report?

Every imaging report follows a general format that radiologists use to communicate findings clearly to referring doctors.

Here’s a typical structure:

Patient & Exam Info
Name, age, date of scan, type of scan (e.g., MRI Brain with contrast)
Clinical Indication
Why the scan was ordered (e.g., “History of chronic headaches”)
Technique
Description of how the scan was performed (e.g., with or without contrast)
Findings
This is the detailed analysis of what the radiologist sees—broken down by body parts or systems. This section can include everything from “normal” to “concerning” observations.
Impression
This is the summary and most important part for patients. It highlights key findings and answers the question: What does this scan show?

Understanding Common Terms in Your Report

Here are a few terms you might see and what they usually mean:

Unremarkable / Within normal limits – Everything looks normal
No evidence of disease / Negative for… – No signs of the condition being investigated
Lesion / Mass / Nodule – An abnormal area that may or may not be serious
Effusion – Fluid buildup (e.g., in the lungs or joints)
Edema – Swelling, often from inflammation or injury
Enhancement – How an area reacts to contrast dye, often used to assess tumors or inflammation
Atrophy – Shrinkage or thinning of tissue (common in brain or muscle scans)
Degenerative changes – Age-related wear and tear (e.g., spine or joints)

How to Read the “Impression” Section

This is where you should focus your attention as a patient.

The Impression section is typically written in plain(ish) English. It’s the radiologist’s summary of what matters most from the scan.

Look for:

Key findings (e.g., “No evidence of acute stroke” or “2 cm liver lesion, recommend follow-up”)
Next steps (e.g., “Suggest correlation with lab work” or “Consider biopsy”)
Comparisons to past scans, if available

Tip: If anything sounds alarming or confusing, jot it down and ask your doctor to explain it in context.

What Your Radiologist Doesn’t Do (and Why That’s Okay)

Radiologists are experts at interpreting images—but they don’t diagnose in isolation. That’s why your report may not give you a final answer like “you have cancer” or “you don’t.”

Instead, they’ll describe what they see and suggest:

A diagnosis possibility (e.g., “Findings are consistent with pneumonia”)
Additional testing if needed (e.g., “Recommend PET scan for further evaluation”)
Clinical correlation (i.e., your primary doctor should evaluate this along with symptoms, labs, history)

So don’t panic if the report is vague or seems noncommittal. It’s part of a larger diagnostic puzzle that your referring physician will help put together.

What About Incidental Findings?

Sometimes a scan ordered for one issue finds something completely unrelated—like a lung nodule on a shoulder MRI.

These are called incidental findings, and they’re common.

While most are harmless or age-related, some may require follow-up. Your doctor will help determine:

Whether further testing is needed
If the finding is urgent or routine
How it fits (or doesn’t fit) with your symptoms

Questions to Ask Your Doctor After Getting Results

Once you have your report, don’t hesitate to schedule a follow-up appointment or call your provider with questions.

Here are a few you can ask:

What does this report mean in my specific case?
Do I need more tests or treatment based on the findings?
Are there any findings unrelated to my current symptoms?
Should I be concerned about anything mentioned?
Can I get a copy of the images for my records?

Bonus Tip: Bring your report to the appointment—or access it through your patient portal—so you and your provider can go through it together.

How We Support You at PET CT and MRI of Miami

We believe that clarity reduces anxiety, and that includes how you receive and understand your results.

At PET CT and MRI of Miami, we offer:

Fast turnaround (most reports available within 24–48 hours)
Seamless communication with your referring physician
Access to your images and reports upon request
Staff trained to explain your next steps clearly and compassionately
Radiologists available for direct physician-to-physician consults

We also encourage patients to call us if they have general questions about imaging prep, terminology, or the scan experience itself.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Understand Your Health

Getting an imaging report shouldn’t feel like trying to decode a foreign language. While some of the terminology may be technical, your care team is there to translate, explain, and guide you.

The more you understand your body—and what your imaging reveals—the more empowered you are to make informed, confident decisions.

Have Questions About Your Report?

Contact us today at 305-209-202 or visit petctofmiami.com.
We’re here to help you move from confusion to clarity—one scan at a time.

About P.E.T. C.T. & MRI of Miami:
Located in South Florida, P.E.T. C.T. & MRI of Miami offers state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging in a supportive, patient-focused environment. From PET and CT scans to MRI, ultrasound, X-ray, and more, we deliver fast, accurate results with your comfort in mind.

Address: 12905 SW 42nd St, Suite 104-106, Miami, FL 33175
Phone: 305-209-2020
Schedule Your Appointment Online: www.petctofmiami.com

Let us know how we can help make your imaging experience easier — we’re here for you.