An MRI report is written by a radiologist for the referring doctor, not for the patient. As a result, the language is medical and dense. Reading it without context can be confusing or even worrying. This guide explains the structure of a typical MRI report and what the common phrases mean.
Structure of a typical MRI report
Most reports in Guwahati follow a four-part structure. The header lists your name, age, the date of the scan, the body part, and the indication (the reason your doctor asked for the scan). The technique section describes the sequences performed and whether contrast was used. The findings section is the longest part and lists what the radiologist saw, organised by anatomical structure. The impression section is the radiologist's summary and is usually two to four lines.
Read the impression first
When you receive your report, read the impression first. It captures the radiologist's diagnosis or the most important observations. The findings section adds detail, but the impression is the bottom line.
Common phrases and what they mean
"No abnormality detected"
Reassuring. The radiologist did not see anything that explains the symptoms. Discuss next steps with your doctor.
"Mild small vessel ischaemic changes"
Tiny age-related changes in the white matter, very common after age 50. By themselves not a cause for concern. Your doctor will look at blood pressure, sugar, and lifestyle factors.
"Disc bulge", "disc protrusion", "disc extrusion"
These describe the degree of disc displacement on a spine MRI. A bulge is mild, a protrusion is more focal, and an extrusion is more pronounced. Many people without any symptoms have disc bulges. Treatment depends on whether the disc is pressing on a nerve and whether you have nerve symptoms, not on the report alone.
"T2 hyperintensity"
A bright spot on a specific MRI sequence. The meaning depends entirely on where it is and the clinical context. Discuss with your doctor.
"Incidental finding"
Something the radiologist noticed that is unrelated to the reason for the scan. Often benign and needs no action, but always discuss with your doctor.
"Recommended follow-up"
The radiologist suggests another scan in a specified time. Take this seriously and book it on time.
When to be worried, and when not to
Words like "tumour", "mass", "lesion suspicious for malignancy", or "acute infarct" are serious and need same-day discussion with your doctor. Words like "minor", "mild", "age-related", or "incidental" are usually not urgent but still merit a conversation. Avoid searching individual phrases on the internet without context, since the same phrase can mean very different things in different patients.
Your follow-up consultation
Take the printed report, the CD or digital copy, and any previous related scans to your doctor. Write down two or three questions before the appointment. The most useful question is "Does this report change what we should do next?". A clear yes-or-no answer from your doctor is more valuable than a long re-reading of the same paragraphs.
Storing your reports
Keep your MRI reports for life. They become baseline comparisons for future scans. The MRI Guwahati dashboard stores all your reports digitally so you can share a link with any new doctor without carrying paper.