Medical imaging guides for patients

Plain-English explanations of CT scans, MRI reports, X-rays, and radiology findings — written to help you understand your results before your next appointment.

Understanding Your Report
CT Scan
How to Read Your CT Scan Report: A Patient's Guide

What every section of a CT report means, plus a plain-English glossary of the most common terms.

MRI
How to Understand Your MRI Report: Plain English for Patients

Decode MRI sequences, signal intensity, and the impression section without a medical degree.

All Modalities
Understanding Your Radiology Report: A Complete Guide

The anatomy of every radiology report — clinical history, findings, impression, and what to do next.

X-Ray
How to Read a Chest X-Ray Report

What the key findings on a chest X-ray report actually mean — in plain English.

Ultrasound
How to Read an Ultrasound Report

Plain-English guide to echogenicity, cysts, shadowing, and common ultrasound findings.

CT Scan Findings Explained
CT Scan
Pulmonary Nodule on CT Scan: What It Means for Patients

What a pulmonary nodule is, why most are benign, and what follow-up typically looks like.

CT Scan
Ground Glass Opacity on CT Scan: What Patients Should Know

What GGO looks like, common causes from viral pneumonia to early lung changes, and what it means for you.

CT Scan
What Does a Hypodense Lesion on CT Mean?

Understanding low-attenuation findings — why most are benign cysts and when follow-up is needed.

CT Scan
Atelectasis on CT Scan: Plain English Explanation

What atelectasis means, why bibasilar atelectasis is so common, and when it matters clinically.

CT Scan
What Does Consolidation Mean on a Chest CT?

Dense airspace filling explained — pneumonia vs. edema vs. other causes.

CT Scan
Abdominal CT Scan Results: Common Findings Explained

A guide to common incidental and significant abdominal CT findings by organ.

MRI Findings Explained
MRI
Brain Lesion on MRI: What Patients Need to Know

What "lesion" actually means, why it doesn't imply cancer, and the most common benign findings.

MRI
White Matter Changes on Brain MRI: A Patient's Guide

Why white matter hyperintensities appear on FLAIR imaging, common causes, and what "nonspecific" means.

MRI
Herniated Disc on MRI: Understanding Your Spine Report

Disc herniation, protrusion, extrusion, foraminal stenosis, and Modic changes explained.

MRI
T2 Hyperintensity on Brain MRI: What It Means

Why bright spots appear on FLAIR and T2 images — causes and what's concerning vs. benign.

MRI
What Does Enhancement on MRI Mean?

Gadolinium contrast, the blood-brain barrier, and what enhancement patterns tell your doctor.

X-Ray Findings Explained
X-Ray
What Does Cardiomegaly Mean on a Chest X-Ray?

Enlarged heart on X-ray — the cardiothoracic ratio, common causes, and what comes next.

X-Ray
Pleural Effusion on X-Ray: What Patients Need to Know

Fluid around the lungs — what causes it, how it looks on X-ray, and when it matters.

X-Ray
What Does Infiltrate Mean on a Chest X-Ray?

Pulmonary infiltrates explained — not always pneumonia, and how context determines the cause.

Before Your Appointment
Preparation
10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor After Getting a CT Scan

The specific questions that get you real answers — and what to listen for in the response.

Preparation
What to Expect After an Abnormal Mammogram

BI-RADS scores explained, what a callback means, and what happens at a diagnostic mammogram.

CT Scan
Lung Nodule Follow-Up: What Your CT Report Actually Means

Surveillance schedules, Fleischner guidelines, how growth is measured, and when follow-up ends.

MRI
How Long Do MRI Results Take? What to Expect

Typical turnaround times, what affects them, and what to do with your DICOM images while you wait.

Have your scan results? Let AI explain them.

Upload your DICOM file and ask your first question for free. Get plain-English answers grounded in your actual images.

Upload my scan — it's free to start

DICOM Reader is an educational tool. It does not provide a medical diagnosis and does not replace your radiologist or physician.