What does my MRI report indicate?

Understanding Your MRI Report

An MRI report is a structured medical document that provides detailed information about your imaging study, including the technique used, findings observed, and the radiologist's interpretation of these findings.

Structure of an MRI Report

MRI reports typically contain several key sections as recommended by the American College of Radiology 1:

1. MRI Technique: Details about:

   • Anatomical area examined
   • Field strength of the MRI machine (typically 1.5T or 3.0T)
   • Slice thickness
   • Type and dose of contrast agent (if used)
   • Sequences performed

2. Findings: A systematic description of all imaging observations including:

   • Lesion number, topography, size, and shape
   • Qualitative assessment of abnormalities
   • Comparison to normal tissue appearance
   • Any incidental or unexpected findings

3. Conclusion/Impression: A concise summary of the radiologist's interpretation related to your clinical problem

Common MRI Findings and Their Meaning

Brain MRI

• White spots (hyperintensities): May indicate inflammation, small vessel disease, or demyelination 1
• Enhancement after contrast: Often indicates active inflammation or breakdown of the blood-brain barrier
• Brain atrophy: Reduction in brain volume that may be noted if present

Spine MRI

• Disc abnormalities: Herniation, bulging, or degeneration
• Nerve compression: Impingement of nerve roots
• Signal changes: Abnormal brightness or darkness in tissues that may indicate pathology
• Bone abnormalities: Changes affecting the spinal canal or vertebrae 1

Joint MRI

• Synovial hypertrophy: Thickening of the joint lining that may indicate inflammation
• Bone marrow edema: Increased fluid in bone that often indicates inflammation or injury
• Cartilage defects: Areas of thinning or damage to joint surfaces
• Ligament or tendon injuries: Tears, strains, or inflammation 1

Understanding Technical Terms

MRI reports often contain specialized terminology:

• Hyperintense/Hypointense: Brighter/darker than surrounding tissue
• Enhancement: Areas that become bright after contrast injection
• Signal void: Area with no signal (appears black)
• Sequence names (T1, T2, FLAIR, DWI): Different imaging techniques that highlight various tissue properties

What Happens After Your MRI

1. Radiologist interpretation: A specialized physician analyzes your images and prepares the report
2. Communication to your doctor: The report is sent to your referring physician
3. Results discussion: Your doctor will discuss the findings with you and determine next steps
4. Follow-up: Additional imaging or specialist referrals may be recommended based on findings 2

Important Considerations

• Clinical context is crucial: MRI findings must be interpreted in the context of your symptoms and medical history
• Incidental findings: Abnormalities unrelated to your symptoms may be discovered and noted
• Limitations: Some conditions may not be visible on MRI despite symptoms 1
• Communication: Studies show that clear communication between radiologists and referring physicians is essential for optimal patient care 3, 4

Common Pitfalls in MRI Report Interpretation

• Ambiguous language: Terms like "cannot exclude" or "cannot rule out" may cause unnecessary anxiety 5
• Technical limitations: Some areas of the body are more difficult to image clearly
• Normal variants: Some findings may represent normal anatomical variations rather than pathology
• Lack of clinical information: Radiologists interpret images better when provided with complete clinical history 6

Remember that your referring physician is the best person to explain your MRI results in the context of your specific medical situation.