Radiology Jargon Defined
Radiology jargon that we use to describe our findings to our fellow clinicians and radiologists differs widely from what we have to put in our reports. If only we could use these words in the final dictation because these words are so much more picturesque and meaningful. In addition, they can replace a long-winded description with a simple phrase. Life would be so much more fun!!! Ohh, to be truly living the moment. But alas, we can’t do it for legal, moral, and ethical reasons. Perhaps, the words are too flippant. Or maybe, they are not grammatically correct. But what if we could? I’ve come up with an excellent glossary of thirteen words that should be in common usage that we do not dictate or write down for these reasons. So, here we go!
Badness/Pure Evil
Some tumors have such an aggressive configuration; these words apply. Usually, these lesions are over 99% likely to be malignant with a high probability of metastases.
Brain Teaser
When you obtain the final diagnosis, you are dying to put this your dictation by complicated, circuitous logic. However, it is just not allowed!
Cheesy Consistency
You know it when you see it. It is slightly higher density than fluid with small foci of air.
Ditzel
A tiny finding that you see of no significant consequence.
Fecally Challenged
It’s what you say when you can’t mention constipation because that is a clinical diagnosis. But yet there is tons of poop everywhere!
Glom
It is usually a proteinaceous mess within the body. The glom can be contained or free! I would love to use this one. It sounds so right…
Gumba
A gumba is an enormous finding that is of paramount importance.
Nightmare Case
It is the perfect descriptor for that case, with a billion findings on a CT scan, usually with no oral and intravenous contrast. The problem is- who wants to be called a nightmare?
Ring Magnet
A patient who has rings in almost every orifice imaginable. I am waiting for the proper case to use this one!
Screenostic
Screenostics are breast studies ordered as a diagnostic for a callback or finding and include the opposite breast for some unknown reason. Hence, the “Screen” part of the word.
Shpiel
It’s the real story, not the long-winded, boring version. It can be a word or phrase to replace the written history or impression. Direct translation from Yiddish
Sweet Pickup
It’s what you like to say when you make a subtle but significant finding. Unfortunately, there is nowhere you can say it in your dictation! You have to rely on hearing it from others.
White Cow In A Snowstorm
It’s what you see when there is so much noise that the findings are impossible to visualize. Usually, it is present on ultrasound in an obese patient, an underpenetrated film, or a study with tons of artifacts.
