Source: https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/understanding-your-mri-report Guide G–14 · Understanding # Understanding your MRI report Radiology reports sound like another language on purpose. They are precise for clinicians, not soothing for patients. This article translates frequent phrases so you can read with less fear, not so you can skip talking to your doctor. The notes here are for orientation, not a substitute for your own clinician’s read. Gabriel Theis Founder, OpenMyScan 6 min read Updated October 26, 2026 Intermediate ## How do I read my MRI report? An MRI report describes what the radiologist saw, typically with a Findings section, an Impression, and hedged language like "no acute pathology." To follow along, drop the DICOM folder into openmyscan.com and scroll the same slices the radiologist viewed. Open your scan free at openmyscan.com. 1. Read the "Impression" or "Conclusion" section first. It is the radiologist's summary. 2. Use the glossary below when the body of the report uses unfamiliar words. 3. Bring a printed copy or portal PDF to your follow-up; do not treat Dr. Google as your specialist. ## Step 1 — How the report is organized Most reports start with clinical history, describe technique ("MRI of the brain without contrast"), then walk through each region ("Cerebral parenchyma… Ventricles…"). The final paragraphs condense everything into a short list. If numbers or measurements appear, they matter to your team. Ask what they imply for you personally. ## Step 2 — Plain-English glossary (not exhaustive) Definitions are general language only. The same term can mean very different things depending on your specific imaging, location, and symptoms. Always ask your doctor to interpret your report in context. **Lesion** An area that looks different from the surrounding tissue on the images. It is a description, not a diagnosis by itself. **Edema** Swelling or extra fluid in tissue, often from injury or inflammation. How important it is depends on location, size, and your symptoms. **Signal (for example, "high T2 signal")** How bright or dark a spot looks on a particular type of image. Radiologists use it to compare one area to another on the same sequence. **Sequence: T1** One way the MRI machine builds an image. T1 is often used for clear anatomy and fat versus fluid in familiar patterns. **Sequence: T2** Highlights fluid and many abnormal processes as brighter than usual. The report may mention "T2 hyperintensity" in plain terms. **Sequence: FLAIR** A T2-like view that suppresses fluid in some spaces so subtle changes next to CSF are easier to see, especially in brain studies. **Sequence: DWI (diffusion-weighted imaging)** Shows how water moves in tissue. It is used in specific situations such as some strokes or abscesses; the report ties it to the clinical story. **Mass effect** Pressure or shift of nearby structures from a mass, fluid collection, or swelling. It is a mechanical description, not a label for cancer by itself. **Incidental finding** Something seen on the scan that was not the main reason for the exam. Its significance depends on the report and clinical context; the term alone does not establish a diagnosis. **Atrophy** Loss of volume or shrinkage of a structure compared with expected size, often age-related in some areas. The report usually says if it is mild, moderate, or not applicable. **Ischemia** Reduced blood flow to tissue. The report and clinician provide the context for what the term means in a particular case. **Artifact (imaging)** A false pattern on the image from motion, metal, or technique, rather than a physical abnormality in the body. It can mimic real findings if you are not trained to tell the difference. **Degenerative changes** Wear-and-tear type findings common with age, such as in discs or joints. The phrase describes appearance, not how much pain you should have. **Consistent with** Radiology hedging: the pictures look like a certain explanation, but the reader is not claiming proof without clinical context. **Correlate clinically** Imaging is being matched to your story, exam, and labs. The images alone are not the whole answer. **Unremarkable** Nothing stands out as notable in that part of the study for that question. It does not comment on every possible rare condition by name. This is not exhaustive. Ask your doctor about any term you do not recognize. ## Step 3 — Hedged language is normal Phrases like "cannot exclude" or "may represent" express uncertainty or describe possible explanations. Their meaning depends on the complete report and clinical context. They do not, on their own, establish a diagnosis or the next action. ## Step 4 — Discussing report instructions A report or portal may include contact details and instructions from the clinical team. This glossary cannot determine urgency or interpret those instructions. The clinician responsible for the report can explain the findings and any next steps. ## Step 5 — Questions worth writing down Questions for the clinician might include: which prior study was used for comparison, what an unfamiliar term means in this report, and how the Findings and Impression relate to each other. Keep the report and examination date with those questions. ## What confuses people reading their report at home? **I fixate on one scary word** Record the term and its surrounding sentence so the clinician can explain it in the context of the complete report. **The report contradicts what I was told verbally** Call the ordering clinician; transcription or timing issues occur. **I want to match words to pictures** Open the DICOM in our free [MRI viewer](https://openmyscan.com/en/mri-viewer) for orientation only. Match the named sequence (T1, T2, FLAIR) to what you see, but the read itself stays with your clinician. **I'm panicking at 2am** This guide cannot interpret a report or determine what action a finding requires. The report or portal may list a clinical contact for questions about its wording and instructions. // open your scan Ready Open your scan right now OpenMyScan runs in your browser. Your files stay on your computer while you review them. [Open viewer](https://openmyscan.com/en/dicom-viewer) ## Common questions ### Should I Google the words in my report? If you must, stick to major hospital patient sites and still verify with your clinician. Search engines amplify worst cases. ### Is an 'incidental finding' bad? An incidental finding is something noted outside the main reason for the examination. The term alone does not establish its significance. Ask the clinician reviewing your report what it means in your case. ### Does OpenMyScan explain my report automatically? No. It shows images only. ### Can I view my scan on my phone? No. The viewer needs a browser window at least 1200 pixels wide to show images alongside the series list. Use a laptop or desktop, or a tablet only if its browser window meets that width. Rotating an iPad to landscape does not guarantee enough space. Guides remain available on smaller screens. → try it now ## Open *your* scan Your original scan files are read on your device without a scan upload. Local previews and settings can persist after closing the tab; clear this site’s browser data to remove them completely. [Open viewer](https://openmyscan.com/en/dicom-viewer) [Browse all guides](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides) ## Keep reading [All 14 guides →](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides) [G–13 · Understanding MRI vs CT scan — difference explained for patients You were scheduled for 'a scan' and now you have two different names. Here's what MRI and CT actually are, and why both end up as DICOM on the CD. Read guide](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/difference-between-mri-and-ct-scan) [G–05 · Opening Best DICOM viewer for your scans: free and paid options Compare free and paid DICOM viewers for MRI and CT: OpenMyScan, MicroDicom, OsiriX MD and RadiAnt. Check accounts, local viewing, exports and license terms. Read guide](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/best-free-dicom-viewer) OpenMyScan is a viewer for images you already own. It is not a diagnostic tool, is not FDA- or CE-cleared, and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor.