What it means
Most radiology reports follow the same order. They start with why and how the scan was done, and which older scans were used for comparison. Then come the findings, and the impression usually comes last. The findings describe what the radiologist looked at, often in technical detail. The impression pulls out what matters most, usually as a short list with the most important point first.
When it matters
The impression is the part your doctor usually reads first, so it is a good place for you to start too. A finding mentioned in the findings but left out of the impression is usually minor. If the impression suggests a follow-up scan or another test, that advice is addressed to your doctor. They decide with you whether and when it makes sense.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Which point in the impression matters most for me?
- Is anything in the findings important even though it is not in the impression?
- Do you agree with the follow-up the radiologist suggested?
