Scans and X-rays
What Does Impression Mean on a Scan Report?
Impression · say it: im-PRESH-unAlso written: conclusion, summary, opinion
Short answer
The impression is the summary at the end of a scan report, where the radiologist gives the main conclusions.
What it means
Most imaging reports have a few parts: why the scan was done, how it was done, what was seen (findings), and the impression.
The impression is the radiologist's summary and opinion. It lists the most important points and may suggest next steps, such as a follow-up scan.
If you only read one part of a scan report, the impression is the most useful place to start. The findings section gives the detail behind it.
Where you may see it
- X-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound reports, usually at the end
- Sometimes labelled "Conclusion" or "Summary"
📄 How it looks on a report
IMPRESSION: No acute abnormality. Mild degenerative changes of the lumbar spine.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It is not a final diagnosis. Your doctor combines it with your symptoms and examination.
- It does not list every detail. Smaller points may appear only in the findings section.
- "Impression" does not mean the radiologist is guessing. It is their professional opinion.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
🧾 Reports where you will see “Impression”
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💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Impression”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Acyclovir
An antiviral medicine of the nucleoside analogue type, used against herpesviruses
- Albuterol
A bronchodilator (a medicine that opens the airways) of the beta-2 adrenergic type. The FDA class is not listed, so this description comes from the label's own wording.
- Aripiprazole
an atypical antipsychotic medicine
- Artemether and Lumefantrine
an antimalarial medicine, which is a fixed combination of two blood-stage antimalarial ingredients (artemether, an artemisinin derivative, and lumefantrine)
- Aspirin
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and a platelet aggregation inhibitor
- Azithromycin
a macrolide antibacterial (antibiotic) medicine
- Bupropion Hydrochloride
an aminoketone antidepressant, a type of medicine used to treat depression
- Ceftriaxone
A broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic, as described on the official FDA label
- Ciprofloxacin
a fluoroquinolone antibacterial medicine
- Citalopram
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant medicine
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Impression” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- RadiologyInfo.org ↗
Radiological Society of North America and American College of Radiology
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More words: scans and x-rays
General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.