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Search for a word from your ultrasound, mammogram or X-ray report to see what it means in plain words and what usually happens next. It explains words; it cannot read or judge your own report.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Akanksha Bajpai on 12 November 2026
This is the general meaning of the word. What it means for you depends on the whole report, your symptoms and your examination, so please discuss your report with your doctor.
No word matches. Try another spelling, or ask your doctor or the centre.
What it means
The images are not enough to reach a conclusion yet. More pictures or a comparison with earlier mammograms are needed.
What usually happens next
Usually extra mammogram views, a breast ultrasound or your old films. It is a call-back, not a result.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
Nothing worth reporting was seen.
What usually happens next
Usually routine screening at the normal interval, and see a doctor about any new breast change.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
Something was seen, and it has a typical non-cancer look, for example a simple cyst or calcified fibroadenoma.
What usually happens next
Usually routine screening at the normal interval.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
A finding that is very likely not cancer, but is watched to make sure it does not change.
What usually happens next
Usually a short-interval follow-up scan, often after about 6 months, as the radiologist advises.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
A finding that needs a tissue sample to know what it is. It is split into 4A, 4B and 4C, from lower to higher concern. Many BI-RADS 4 findings turn out not to be cancer.
What usually happens next
Usually a biopsy, often guided by ultrasound or mammography.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
The finding looks very much like cancer, but only a biopsy can confirm it.
What usually happens next
A biopsy, and a plan with a breast specialist.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
Used when cancer has already been confirmed by biopsy, for example for scans during treatment planning.
What usually happens next
Treatment planning with your doctors.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
A thyroid nodule with features that are not worrying, such as a purely fluid-filled (cystic) nodule.
What usually happens next
In ACR TI-RADS, no needle test (FNAC) is needed.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
A nodule with features that are not suspicious.
What usually happens next
In ACR TI-RADS, no FNAC is needed.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
A nodule with a few features that need some attention.
What usually happens next
In ACR TI-RADS, FNAC is suggested if the nodule is 2.5 cm or larger, and a follow-up scan if it is 1.5 cm or larger.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
A nodule with features that need closer checking.
What usually happens next
In ACR TI-RADS, FNAC is suggested if the nodule is 1.5 cm or larger, and a follow-up scan if it is 1 cm or larger.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
A nodule with several features that need a needle test to know what it is.
What usually happens next
In ACR TI-RADS, FNAC is suggested if the nodule is 1 cm or larger, and a follow-up scan if it is 0.5 cm or larger.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
Completely black on ultrasound: sound passes straight through. This is how clear fluid looks.
What usually happens next
It describes the look; what it means depends on what the report says it is.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
Darker than the tissue around it on ultrasound. Many normal and non-cancer things look hypoechoic, and so do some that need checking.
What usually happens next
The rest of the report (size, shape, margins, category) decides what happens next.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
Brighter than the tissue around it on ultrasound, for example fat, scar tissue or calcium.
What usually happens next
It describes the look; the rest of the report gives the meaning.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
The same brightness as the tissue around it on ultrasound.
What usually happens next
It describes the look; the rest of the report gives the meaning.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
A small sac of clear fluid with a thin smooth wall. Simple cysts are very common and are not cancer.
What usually happens next
Often nothing, unless it causes pain or the doctor wants to recheck it.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
A fluid sac that also has thicker walls, inner walls (septa) or some solid parts.
What usually happens next
Depending on the organ and how it looks, a follow-up scan, another test or a needle sample.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
A lump made of tissue rather than fluid. Many solid lumps are not cancer, such as fibroadenomas.
What usually happens next
The report category, size and look decide whether it is watched or sampled.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
The edge of the lump is smooth and clearly separate from the tissue around it. This is often seen in non-cancer lumps.
What usually happens next
It is one feature among several; the overall category guides the next step.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
The edge of the lump is blurred, irregular or hard to separate from the tissue around it. This needs closer checking.
What usually happens next
Often further imaging or a needle sample, as the report advises.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
Small deposits of calcium in tissue. They are very common, especially in the breast, and most are harmless.
What usually happens next
Usually nothing extra if described as benign; otherwise as the report advises.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
Very tiny calcium specks, often seen on a mammogram. Their shape and pattern tell the radiologist whether they need checking.
What usually happens next
Depending on the BI-RADS category: routine screening, a follow-up mammogram or a biopsy.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
A common, non-cancer, smooth breast lump made of gland and fibrous tissue, most often in younger women.
What usually happens next
Often a follow-up scan; sometimes a needle sample or removal, as the doctor advises.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
A lump inside the thyroid gland. Thyroid nodules are very common and most are not cancer.
What usually happens next
The TI-RADS level and size decide whether nothing, a follow-up scan or FNAC is suggested.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
A lymph node (gland) that keeps its normal fatty centre. This is the usual look of a normal or reactive node, for example after an infection.
What usually happens next
Usually nothing, or a recheck if the doctor advises.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
Extra fat in the liver, which makes it look brighter on ultrasound. Grade 1 is mild, grade 2 moderate and grade 3 severe. It is common and is linked to weight, sugar, cholesterol and alcohol.
What usually happens next
Usually blood tests (liver function, sugar, lipids) and lifestyle advice from your doctor.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
The liver is larger than usual. It has many causes, from fatty liver to infections.
What usually happens next
Your doctor looks for the cause, often with blood tests.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
The spleen is larger than usual. It can follow infections and some blood or liver conditions.
What usually happens next
Your doctor looks for the cause, often with blood tests.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
Stones in the gallbladder. Many people have no symptoms; some get pain after fatty meals.
What usually happens next
Your doctor or a surgeon advises, depending on symptoms.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
Thick material settled in the gallbladder, made of tiny particles in bile. It can come and go.
What usually happens next
Often a recheck scan, or advice from your doctor if there are symptoms.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
A stone in the kidney. The report usually gives its size and position.
What usually happens next
Depends on size and symptoms: water and medicines, or a urologist’s advice.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
Swelling of the kidney’s collecting system because urine is not draining freely, for example because of a stone. It is graded mild, moderate or severe.
What usually happens next
Your doctor finds and treats the cause; sometimes this is urgent, so do not delay.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
A thin-walled, fluid-filled sac in the kidney. Very common with age and usually harmless.
What usually happens next
Usually nothing, unless the report suggests a recheck.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
The ovaries contain many small follicles. It is a scan description, not a diagnosis of PCOS on its own.
What usually happens next
PCOS is diagnosed by a doctor together with periods, symptoms and blood tests.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
A common, non-cancer muscle lump in the uterus. Many cause no symptoms; some cause heavy periods or pressure.
What usually happens next
Depends on size, position and symptoms: often watching, sometimes treatment, as your gynaecologist advises.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
The thickness of the lining of the uterus. It changes through the monthly cycle and after menopause, so the normal value depends on age and the day of the cycle.
What usually happens next
Your gynaecologist reads it together with your age, cycle and any bleeding.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
Part of the lung is filled with fluid or inflammation instead of air, most often from an infection such as pneumonia.
What usually happens next
Your doctor treats the cause and may repeat the X-ray later.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
Fluid collected between the lung and the chest wall. It has many causes.
What usually happens next
Your doctor finds the cause; sometimes the fluid is drawn off with a needle (pleural tap).
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
The heart shadow looks larger than usual on the X-ray. The X-ray position can also make it look bigger.
What usually happens next
Often an ECG and 2D echo, as your doctor advises.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
What it means
Bones are less dense than usual, but not as thin as in osteoporosis.
What usually happens next
Your doctor may check calcium and vitamin D and advise on diet, exercise or a bone density test.
Please discuss your own report with your doctor.
ACR BI-RADS Atlas (5th edition) and ACR TI-RADS (2017); other words as commonly used in radiology reports.
Ask about a report or book a scan
No. It explains what words mean in general. Only your doctor, who knows your symptoms and examination, can tell what your report means for you.
A standard scale from 0 to 6 that radiologists use on breast imaging reports to say how much concern a finding raises and what should happen next.
A scale (TR1 to TR5) for thyroid nodules on ultrasound. With the nodule size, it guides whether a needle test (FNAC) or a follow-up scan is suggested.
Darker than the surrounding tissue on ultrasound. On its own it does not mean anything good or bad; the rest of the report matters.
Your own doctor first. You can also call the centre if you have a question about a report we issued.
