A radiology report should clearly communicate both what the radiologist observes and how those findings should be interpreted. An article published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology emphasized the importance of radiologists including contextual references—linking imaging findings to clinical relevance and patient characteristics. Radiologic interpretations gain meaning when presented in the context of a patient’s age, medical history, and clinical condition.
Rather than merely listing abnormalities, offering a “frame of reference” enhances the report’s value, improving understanding for both referring clinicians and patients. Experts highlight several common scenarios where context is crucial. For instance, paranasal sinus fluid levels in an intubated patient typically do not indicate sinusitis but can be described as “expected given intubation.” Similarly, mild…
