MRI reports are clinical documents written by radiologists for other doctors — but you have every right to request and read yours. Understanding the language can ease anxiety, help you prepare better questions and ensure you don't miss follow-up recommendations buried in the text.
The structure of an MRI report
- Clinical indication — why the scan was ordered; sets the context for the radiologist's interpretation
- Technique — the sequences used and whether contrast was given; different sequences highlight different tissues
- Findings — a systematic description of everything visible in the images, often organ by organ
- Impression — the radiologist's summary and interpretation; this is what your doctor reads first
- Recommendation — any further imaging, biopsy or follow-up the radiologist suggests
Common terms explained
- Hyperintense / hypointense — brighter or darker than surrounding tissue on a given sequence; the meaning depends entirely on which sequence (T1/T2/FLAIR)
- Signal change — a difference in brightness that suggests a tissue abnormality
- Oedema — swelling; seen as bright signal on T2-weighted images
- Enhancement — areas that 'light up' after contrast injection, suggesting active inflammation, disrupted barrier, or tumour
- Incidental finding — something noticed that wasn't the reason for the scan; often benign but documented for completeness
- Normal variant — anatomical differences that are common in the population and not pathological
- FLAIR — a sequence that suppresses fluid signal, useful for detecting brain lesions
How to approach a concerning finding
If your report mentions something unfamiliar or alarming, don't try to diagnose yourself from internet searches. Search engines surface worst-case scenarios. Instead, write down the exact phrase from your report and ask your doctor: 'What does this finding mean in my specific case, and does it require any action?'
Many MRI findings — small cysts, disc bulges, benign lesions, minor signal changes — are common incidental findings that require no treatment. The radiologist's Impression section is your clearest guide to what matters and what doesn't.