What Happens After an Abnormal Imaging Result?

Your doctor calls and says, "Your imaging results came back abnormal." Your heart drops. You immediately think the worst.

Take a breath. An abnormal result does not automatically mean something serious. Here is what it actually means and what happens next.

"Abnormal" Does Not Mean "Cancer"

The word "abnormal" in radiology simply means the radiologist saw something that is not entirely typical. This could be:

• A benign cyst (harmless fluid-filled sac)
• Scar tissue from a previous injury or surgery
• Normal anatomical variation that looks unusual
• Inflammation from a temporary condition
• An incidental finding unrelated to why you were scanned
• In some cases, something that does need further evaluation

The vast majority of abnormal findings turn out to be benign (non-cancerous). But "abnormal" warrants a closer look to be sure.

How Radiology Reports Work

When you have imaging done at AMI, our board-certified radiologist reviews every image and writes a detailed report. The report uses a standardized system:

Common Terminology - Unremarkable — nothing abnormal seen - Within normal limits — everything looks normal - Incidental finding — something unrelated to the reason for the exam was noticed - Recommend follow-up — something was seen that should be re-evaluated later - Further evaluation recommended — additional imaging or testing is suggested - Concerning for... — the finding raises suspicion for a specific condition

The BI-RADS System (Mammography) Mammography reports use a specific grading scale: - ACR BI-RADS classification system 1 — Negative (normal) - BI-RADS 2 — Benign finding - BI-RADS 3 — Probably benign (follow-up in 6 months recommended) - BI-RADS 4 — Suspicious (biopsy recommended) - BI-RADS 5 — Highly suggestive of malignancy - BI-RADS 0 — Incomplete, additional imaging needed

If your mammogram comes back BI-RADS 0, it means we need more views — not that something is wrong.

Common Next Steps

1. Follow-Up Imaging The most common recommendation is to repeat the scan in 3-6 months to see if the finding has changed. Many things — like small cysts or lymph nodes — resolve on their own. Stability over time is very reassuring.

2. Different Type of Imaging Sometimes a finding on one type of scan needs to be evaluated with a different modality: - An MRI finding may need ultrasound for further characterization - A mammogram finding may need diagnostic mammogram with magnification views - An X-ray finding may need CT for a detailed cross-sectional look - A CT finding may need MRI for better soft tissue evaluation

3. Comparison with Prior Studies If you have had previous imaging done elsewhere, bringing those images allows the radiologist to compare and determine whether a finding is new or has been stable for years. Stable findings are almost always benign.

4. Biopsy In a small percentage of cases, a tissue sample is needed for a definitive diagnosis. A biopsy is usually guided by imaging (ultrasound or CT) and performed with local anesthesia. Most biopsies are outpatient procedures.

What You Should Do

1. Read the actual report. Do not rely on a phone call summary. Request a copy of your how to read your radiology report through your patient portal or from your doctor's office. Our reports are available to your referring physician typically within 48 hours.

2. Follow the radiologist's recommendation. If the report says "follow-up in 6 months," do not ignore it. Set a calendar reminder. Follow-up imaging exists to catch the rare case where something benign-looking turns out to be real.

3. Bring prior imaging. If you have had scans done at other facilities, request those images on disc or through the other facility's portal. Comparison is one of the most powerful tools in radiology.

4. Ask questions. Your referring physician can explain your results in context. Do not rely on Google — your specific finding, your anatomy, and your medical history matter.

5. Do not delay. If further evaluation is recommended, schedule it promptly. Waiting creates anxiety and, in the rare case something is serious, time matters.

At AMI

We provide results to your physician within 48 hours (stat reads for urgent cases). If your doctor orders follow-up imaging, we make scheduling easy — call (727) 398-5999 or request an appointment online.

You do not have to go through this alone. Our team is here to answer questions and guide you through next steps.