How to read your scan results after a car crash
A radiologist and a primary care doctor explain reports and next steps
Your scan report may land in your patient portal before anyone walks you through it. Medical terms can sound scary, or they can sound more comforting than they should. A radiologist, a doctor who reads medical images, describes what the pictures show. Your treating doctor puts that report together with your exam and history. After a crash, you need both views. [1, 2]
Read the report in a smart order
Start by finding the body area and the date of the test. Next, read the “impression,” which sums up the main findings and recommendations. The detailed findings section adds background. See whether the report calls for another test, a comparison with older images or a visit. A phrase like “no acute fracture” answers one question. On its own, it can’t explain every symptom or rule out every injury. [1]
An incidental finding is something the scan picked up that wasn’t the reason for the test. Many of these findings cause no harm. Some need follow up. Ask the doctor who ordered the scan what the finding means for you. Find out whether it needs a test, a visit or nothing at all. Don’t take “incidental” to mean unimportant. [1, 2]
Make sure every next step happens
Write down the next step the report suggests, who will order it and when the result will be reviewed. The report may call for a comparison with an older scan from another hospital. If so, ask how to get that image to the right place. If the report is unclear, ask the ordering doctor to explain the main conclusion in plain words. Some imaging centers can also help with questions about reports. [1, 2]
Keep the report with your discharge summary. If symptoms get worse or a new one appears, ask to be checked again. Don’t assume the earlier scan settled everything. A scan is a snapshot of one moment in time. Your doctor has to decide whether you need a new exam or test. [1]
Three clear questions to ask
- What did this scan tell us about my crash injury?
- Which findings are uncertain or not related to the crash?
- Who handles each recommended follow up step, and by when?
If a result lands in your portal before your follow up visit, it’s fine to send these questions in a message. Don’t treat an online search of one phrase as your diagnosis. The same words can mean different things depending on your history and the kind of scan. [1, 2]
Go through each crash scan report
Sources and further reading
- 1RadiologyInfo all about your radiology report
- 2RadiologyInfo discussing report results with your doctor
The guidance above is general education from radiology and primary care. A report can’t be read safely without knowing your symptoms and exam. Ask your own doctor what your results mean.
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