English for Medical Imaging: Essential Vocabulary & Phrases

"plain radiograph"

A two-dimensional image produced by passing X-rays through the body onto a detector, the most basic form of diagnostic imaging

"The plain radiograph of the chest showed consolidation in the right lower lobe consistent with pneumonia."

"computed tomography"

A cross-sectional imaging technique that uses X-rays and computer processing to produce detailed axial, coronal, and sagittal images of internal structures

"Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a 4 cm hypodense lesion in the right lobe of the liver requiring further characterisation."

"magnetic resonance imaging"

A modality using strong magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to generate high-contrast images of soft tissues without ionising radiation

"Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee demonstrated a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament."

"ultrasound"

A real-time imaging technique using high-frequency sound waves to visualise soft tissue structures, particularly suited to abdominal and vascular assessment

"Ultrasound of the right upper quadrant identified gallstones with posterior acoustic shadowing and a thickened gallbladder wall."

"positron emission tomography"

A nuclear medicine technique that images metabolic activity by detecting gamma rays emitted by a radiotracer, commonly combined with CT for anatomical correlation

"Positron emission tomography with FDG tracer showed intense uptake in the mediastinal lymph nodes, indicating active lymphoma."

"fluoroscopy"

A real-time continuous X-ray imaging technique used to observe moving structures and guide interventional procedures

"Fluoroscopy was used to guide placement of the nasogastric tube and confirm correct positioning in the stomach."

"nuclear scintigraphy"

A functional imaging modality in which a radiolabelled tracer is administered and its distribution mapped by a gamma camera to assess organ function

"Nuclear scintigraphy of the thyroid gland revealed a hyperfunctioning "hot" nodule in the right lobe."

"dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry"

A low-dose X-ray technique used to measure bone mineral density for the diagnosis and monitoring of osteoporosis

"Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry showed a T-score of −2.7 at the lumbar spine, confirming osteoporosis."

"axial plane"

A horizontal cross-sectional plane dividing the body into superior and inferior portions, the standard orientation for CT and MRI slices

"The axial plane images demonstrated a soft-tissue mass encasing the right common iliac artery."

"coronal plane"

A vertical plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior sections, frequently reformatted in CT to assess craniocaudal extent of lesions

"Coronal plane reconstruction confirmed that the renal cyst measured 6 cm in its craniocaudal dimension."

"mediastinum"

The central compartment of the thoracic cavity lying between the lungs, containing the heart, great vessels, trachea, oesophagus, and lymph nodes

"CT demonstrated widening of the superior mediastinum due to enlarged paratracheal lymph nodes."

"parenchyma"

The functional tissue of an organ, as distinguished from its supporting connective tissue stroma, commonly described in liver, lung, and kidney imaging

"The hepatic parenchyma showed diffusely increased echogenicity on ultrasound, in keeping with hepatic steatosis."

"hilum"

The concave area on an organ where vessels, nerves, and ducts enter and exit; commonly referred to in lung and lymph node imaging

"Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy was identified on the chest radiograph, raising the possibility of sarcoidosis."

"retroperitoneum"

The anatomical space behind the peritoneum, containing the kidneys, adrenal glands, aorta, and inferior vena cava

"CT of the abdomen identified a large retroperitoneal haematoma tracking along the right psoas muscle."

"cortex"

The outer layer of an organ such as the kidney or adrenal gland, often assessed for thickness and enhancement on cross-sectional imaging

"The renal cortex showed normal thickness and uniform enhancement following intravenous contrast administration."

"lumen"

The internal space of a tubular structure such as a vessel, bowel, or airway, assessed for narrowing, occlusion, or dilatation on imaging

"CT angiography demonstrated critical narrowing of the arterial lumen at the level of the carotid bifurcation."

"hypodense"

Appearing darker than surrounding tissue on CT imaging, indicating lower X-ray attenuation, commonly seen with fat, fluid, or necrosis

"A hypodense lesion measuring 3 cm was identified in segment VII of the liver on the portal venous phase."

"hyperechoic"

Appearing brighter than surrounding tissue on ultrasound, reflecting more sound waves, typical of fat, calcification, or fibrous tissue

"The gallbladder wall was thickened and the lumen contained a hyperechoic focus with posterior shadowing consistent with a stone."

"T2 hyperintense"

Appearing bright on T2-weighted MRI sequences, indicating high water content, characteristic of oedema, cysts, and tumours

"The right temporal lobe lesion appeared T2 hyperintense with surrounding oedema and local mass effect."

"avid enhancement"

Marked and rapid uptake of contrast agent on CT or MRI, suggesting high vascularity, often associated with malignancy or arteriovenous malformations

"The 2 cm hepatic nodule showed avid arterial phase enhancement with washout, meeting criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma."

"calcification"

Deposition of calcium salts within tissue, appearing as a high-density bright focus on CT and radiographs, and as shadowing on ultrasound

"Scattered calcifications were identified within the pancreatic parenchyma, consistent with chronic pancreatitis."

"mass effect"

The displacement or compression of adjacent structures by a space-occupying lesion, used to describe the secondary impact of a lesion on surrounding anatomy

"The large epidural haematoma caused significant mass effect with midline shift of 8 mm to the left."

"air bronchogram"

The appearance of air-filled bronchi visible within an area of consolidated lung parenchyma on a chest radiograph or CT

"Air bronchograms within the right lower lobe consolidation supported a diagnosis of lobar pneumonia rather than mass."

"perilesional oedema"

Abnormal fluid accumulation in the tissue surrounding a lesion, typically seen as a low-density or high T2 signal halo on cross-sectional imaging

"The brain metastasis in the right frontal lobe was associated with extensive perilesional oedema causing sulcal effacement."

"intravenous contrast"

An iodinated agent injected into a vein to opacify vessels and enhance tissue conspicuity on CT or fluoroscopy examinations

"Intravenous contrast was administered at a rate of 4 mL/s and images were acquired in the arterial and portal venous phases."

"gadolinium"

A paramagnetic metal used as the basis for MRI contrast agents that shortens T1 relaxation time and increases signal brightness on post-contrast sequences

"Gadolinium was administered and the post-contrast T1 sequence demonstrated abnormal leptomeningeal enhancement."

"contrast nephropathy"

Acute kidney injury occurring within 48 to 72 hours of iodinated contrast administration, particularly in patients with pre-existing renal impairment

"The patient's eGFR was 28 mL/min/1.73m², so the risk of contrast nephropathy was discussed prior to the enhanced CT."

"breath-hold technique"

An instruction for the patient to suspend respiration during image acquisition to minimise respiratory motion artefact, particularly important in abdominal CT and MRI

"The radiographer instructed the patient to use a breath-hold technique and images were acquired in under ten seconds per sequence."

"field of view"

The area of anatomy encompassed within a single imaging acquisition, adjustable to optimise spatial resolution or coverage

"The field of view was reduced to 20 cm to maximise spatial resolution for the detailed wrist MRI."

"windowing"

The adjustment of display parameters on CT images to optimise visualisation of different tissue types by altering the window width and level

"Lung windowing was applied to the chest CT to assess the pulmonary parenchyma for interstitial changes."

"multiplanar reformation"

Post-processing of CT data to generate images in planes other than the original axial acquisition, such as coronal or sagittal reconstructions

"Multiplanar reformation was performed to assess the full craniocaudal extent of the spinal fracture."

"time-of-flight"

An MRI angiography technique that detects blood flow without contrast by exploiting the signal difference between moving and stationary tissue

"Time-of-flight MR angiography demonstrated patent intracranial arteries with no evidence of stenosis or aneurysm."

"impression"

The concluding section of a radiology report summarising the key findings and providing a differential diagnosis or specific diagnosis

"The impression stated: "Right lower lobe consolidation most likely representing community-acquired pneumonia; follow-up to confirm resolution recommended.""

"incidental finding"

An abnormality discovered on imaging that is unrelated to the original clinical indication, requiring documentation and management guidance

"An incidental finding of a 6 mm pulmonary nodule in the left upper lobe was noted, and a surveillance CT was recommended at twelve months."

"in keeping with"

A reporting phrase indicating that the imaging appearances are consistent with or typical of a specified diagnosis

"The imaging appearances are in keeping with a benign hepatic haemangioma and no further investigation is required."

"cannot exclude"

A cautionary phrase used when imaging findings do not definitively rule out a differential diagnosis, advising clinical correlation or further investigation

"Subtle T2 signal change at L4/5 cannot exclude early infective discitis and correlation with inflammatory markers is recommended."

"differential diagnosis"

A list of possible diagnoses arranged in order of probability based on the imaging findings and clinical context

"The differential diagnosis for the cystic pancreatic lesion includes serous cystadenoma, mucinous cystadenoma, and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm."

"urgent clinical correlation"

A directive in a radiology report requesting immediate clinical assessment of a finding with potential life-threatening significance

"Urgent clinical correlation is recommended given the finding of a large saddle pulmonary embolism with right heart strain."

"PACS"

Picture Archiving and Communication System, the digital infrastructure used to store, retrieve, and distribute medical images across healthcare facilities

"The radiologist reviewed the prior CT examinations on PACS to assess interval change in the pulmonary nodule over three years."

"structured reporting"

A standardised format for radiology reports using predefined templates and terminology to improve consistency and reduce ambiguity

"The department implemented structured reporting for prostate MRI using the PI-RADS version 2.1 template."

"image-guided biopsy"

A tissue sampling procedure in which real-time imaging — ultrasound, CT, or fluoroscopy — is used to direct a needle precisely into a target lesion

"An image-guided biopsy of the lung mass was performed using CT guidance and a core needle, yielding adequate tissue for histological analysis."

"embolisation"

A procedure in which embolic material is deliberately introduced into a vessel to occlude it, used to stop bleeding, devascularise tumours, or treat arteriovenous malformations

"Selective hepatic artery embolisation was performed to control haemorrhage from the ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma."

"transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt"

A procedure in which a stent is placed between the hepatic and portal veins via a jugular approach to reduce portal hypertension

"A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was created to manage recurrent variceal bleeding refractory to endoscopic treatment."

"percutaneous drainage"

Placement of a catheter through the skin under image guidance to drain an abscess, effusion, or other fluid collection

"Percutaneous drainage of the large pelvic abscess was performed under ultrasound guidance, yielding 250 mL of purulent fluid."

"radiofrequency ablation"

A procedure using heat generated by high-frequency electrical current to destroy tumour tissue, guided by CT or ultrasound

"Radiofrequency ablation was selected for the 2.5 cm hepatic metastasis given the patient's poor surgical reserve."

"angioplasty"

Balloon dilation of a stenosed or occluded artery under fluoroscopic guidance to restore adequate blood flow

"Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the left superficial femoral artery achieved a satisfactory angiographic result with no residual stenosis."

"stent placement"

Insertion of a metal mesh tube into a vessel or duct to maintain patency after angioplasty or to relieve an obstruction

"Biliary stent placement via the percutaneous transhepatic route relieved the obstructive jaundice caused by the pancreatic head mass."

"cone-beam CT"

A three-dimensional fluoroscopic imaging technique used during interventional procedures to provide real-time volumetric guidance and confirm accurate device placement

"Cone-beam CT confirmed satisfactory positioning of the chemoembolisation microspheres within the target hepatic segment."