Medical diagnostic tests diagnose and track disease. But to the average patient, reading a diagnosis report can be daunting. If you receive an MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, or routine radiology test, it is in your best interest to be aware of what your results are so that you can make informed health care choices.

At Elite Scan Centre, the best scanning center in Thrissur, we believe the patient must know everything about his/her health. We will convert the most essential sections of a diagnostic report into simple language, clarify medical terminologies with everyday English words, and guide you through test report explanations.

Why Your Diagnostic Report Matters

Diagnostic report is a report of medical imaging or laboratory tests in brief. It helps:

✅ To confirm a diagnosis – Diagnoses disease or condition.

✅ To monitor a known condition – Records change or improvement.

✅ To aid treatment plans – Allows physicians to make the best choice.

✅ To give second opinion – Provides for better decision-making in difficult cases.

If you have been scanned at a scanning center in Thrissur, your report would be interpreted by a radiologist who would read the images and write a summary of findings.

Key Features of a Diagnostic Report

There are certain key features that are included in a typical diagnostic report. Knowing these features will make you understand the findings better.

1. Patient Information

The following is included in this section:

Your name, age, and sex

Date and time of test

Name of referring doctor

Double-check that this is correct because errors can lead to misinterpretation of the result.

2. Clinical Indications

This is the indication on which the scan was performed. It may include:

Symptoms (e.g., “chronic headaches,” “abdominal pain”)

Suspected conditions (e.g., “possible kidney stones”)

Follow-up scans for chronic disease

3. Imaging Technique Used

The type of scan performed is detailed here, e.g:

• MRI scan – In-depth brain, spine, joints, and soft tissue scanning.
• CT scan – Picks up fractures, tumors, and internal trauma.
• X-ray – Retro for bone breaks and pneumonia.
• Ultrasound – Radiation-free, pregnancy and organ safe scans.
• Mammography – Special breast cancer screening pictures.

4. Findings

The most serious part. Here is where what the radiologist has observed on the pictures gets written down. The findings are:

• Normal results – Abnormality not identified.
• Mild changes – Variations that might require follow-up.
• Marked abnormalities – Could be disease or injury results.
• Illustration on an MRI scan, the report would be:

“No abnormal mass identified. No hemorrhage or infarct.”

This means the brain scan is normal.

5. Impressions/Conclusion

Impression or conclusion is a brief summary of the key findings. This helps your doctor render a diagnosis. Some of the expressions used are:

• Unremarkable – No significant abnormalities.
• Benign – Normal non-neoplastic appearance.
• Malignant – Prepares malignant lesions.
• Degenerative changes – Spinal or joint deterioration due to ageing.

6. Recommendations

According to the outcome, the radiologist may have recommendations for follow-up or further studies. Examples:

“Recommend follow-up ultrasound in 6 months for evaluation of nodule.”

“Further clinical correlation with blood work noted.”

Common Medical Terms in Diagnostic Reports

Diagnostic report medical terms are not readily understood. Among the most frequent of the terms are lesion, or abnormal tissue area, and edema, or swelling caused by collection of excess fluid. Calcification is also commonplace, to characterize hardening due to calcium deposit in tissue. Hypoechoic and hyperechoic are terms utilized in ultrasound reports to explain the echogenicity of tissues on the scan, whereas hyperdense and hypodense are terms utilized in CT scan reports to explain the brightness of tissues.

Also commonly used are words such as atrophy (shriveling or wasting of tissue or organ) and nodule (little lump or growth). Effusion is the buildup of fluid within a body space. Familiarity with these terms will allow you to interpret your report, but better yet, have it explained to you by your physician.

How to Read Your Diagnostic Report with Confidence

Keep Calm and Don’t Jump to Conclusions

Abnormalities never indicate a serious issue. A couple of findings can be age-related or benign.

Ask Your Doctor for Explanation

Your radiologist presents you with the imaging report, while your doctor simply does the correlation of history and symptomatology and report.

Compare with Earlier Reports

If you have had a couple of scans in a scan centre in Thrissur, comparison of reports helps in monitoring progress.

Ask Questions

In case you are doubtful regarding a term, call your doctor or radiologist.

Take the Referred Next Steps

In case you are referred for further treatment or testing, take appropriate action accordingly.

Why Elite Scan Centre – Thrissur’s Best Scanning Centre

We provide improved imaging machines with competent radiologists to make accurate interpretations. Here’s why we are best scanning center in Thrissur:

• New Machinery – New MRI, CT, X-ray, Ultrasound, and Mammography machines.
• Well Qualified Radiologists – Expert diagnostic imaging skills.
• Patient-Focused Process – Reports prepared simply and in plain language.
• Quick & Accurate Reports – Stat cases with speedy turnaround.
• Reasonable & Economical – Quality treatment at affordable prices.

Your well-being is safe at Elite Scan Centre.

Final Thoughts

Reading your diagnosis report makes you the master of your own health. Medical terminology is complex, but explaining it in simple terms makes you qualified to make intelligent decisions. Always ask the full explanation from your doctor, and for good quality imaging facilities, visit Elite Scan Centre, the best scanning center in Thrissur.

For appointment or further information, please contact:

Elite Scan Centre, Koorkenchery Road, Thrissur, Kerala, India

0487 2426266, +91 8136975222

Your health is important – trust the best only!