Scans and heart tests
Ultrasound report explainer
Ultrasound reports describe organs by how they reflect sound waves, with measurements for almost everything. Add your report below to see each organ or structure listed with what was found, in ordinary words.
Explain your ultrasound report
- 1. Add itDrop a PDF, take a photo or paste the text.
- 2. Check itPersonal details are removed on your device. You approve what is sent.
- 3. Read itSummary, table of results, terms and questions to ask.
The explainer opens on its own page with no adverts and no outside scripts. Your file is read on your device and is never uploaded.
What you get
- Each organ or structure on its own row with its measurements.
- Words such as echogenic, hypoechoic and anechoic explained.
- Notes about limited views restated so you know what could not be seen.
- Questions to ask the clinician who requested the scan.
Wording you may see
- EchogenicityHow brightly a tissue shows on the scan
- Hyperechoic and hypoechoicBrighter or darker than the surrounding tissue
- AnechoicCompletely dark, which is how plain fluid appears
- Simple cystA fluid-filled sac with a thin, smooth wall
- DopplerA setting that shows blood flow
- Obscured by bowel gasGas blocked the view of that area
What this tool cannot tell you
Ultrasound depends on the view the operator could obtain, and reports often say when part of an organ could not be seen. Descriptions of brightness and shape say what something looks like, not always what it is. MedicDecode restates the report. It does not assess a pregnancy or diagnose a condition.
Common questions
What does limited study mean?
Something, often bowel gas or body shape, reduced how well the area could be seen. The report normally says which part was affected.
Can I use this for a pregnancy scan report?
Yes, it will explain the terms and measurements as written. It does not judge whether a pregnancy is progressing normally; your midwife or doctor does that.
Why are there so many measurements?
Sonographers measure organs and any findings so that future scans can be compared with this one.
Words you may see on this report
Tap a word for its plain-English meaning, an example line and what it does not mean.
- Effusion
An effusion is extra fluid that has collected in a space in the body, such as around the lungs, in a joint or around the heart.
- Hyperechoic
Hyperechoic is an ultrasound word for an area that reflects more sound and looks brighter than the tissue around it.
- Hypoechoic
Hypoechoic is an ultrasound word for an area that reflects less sound and looks darker than the tissue around it.
- TI-RADS
TI-RADS is a scoring system for thyroid nodules on ultrasound that helps decide whether a nodule needs a needle biopsy or follow-up.
- Atelectasis
Atelectasis means part of a lung is not fully expanded, so the small air sacs there are partly or completely deflated.
- BI-RADS
BI-RADS is a scoring system from 0 to 6 used on mammogram, breast ultrasound and breast MRI reports to describe findings and next steps.
- Cardiomegaly
Cardiomegaly means the heart looks larger than expected, usually on a chest X-ray, and it is a description rather than a diagnosis.
- Clinical correlation
Clinical correlation means the radiologist is asking your doctor to compare the scan with your symptoms, examination and other tests.
- Consolidation
Consolidation on a chest scan means part of the lung that is normally filled with air is filled with something else, such as fluid or pus.
- Contrast
Contrast is a dye given before or during a scan to make blood vessels and certain tissues show up more clearly.
- Cyst
A cyst is a closed sac with a thin wall that usually holds fluid, and simple cysts seen on scans are very common and usually harmless.
- Degenerative changes
Degenerative changes means wear-and-tear changes in joints or the spine that commonly happen with age and use.