An ultrasound report is a clinical summary of the examination and the appearances recorded in the images. It is designed to support healthcare decisions, but it should be considered alongside your symptoms, medical history and any other tests.
How the report is prepared
During the examination, the clinician records images, observations and measurements relevant to the requested scan. These are reviewed before the report is finalised. Occasionally, review takes longer because clarification, comparison or additional quality checks are needed.
The report-turnaround time shown by the service is a target rather than a guarantee. Accuracy and appropriate review are more important than issuing a report before it is ready.
Reading the report
Clinical reports can contain anatomical terms and cautious phrases. A finding may be:
- within expected limits;
- a common variation;
- something that needs comparison with symptoms or earlier imaging; or
- something for which another test or specialist opinion is recommended.
A report is not a diagnosis by itself in every situation. Avoid interpreting a single sentence without the rest of the report and the relevant clinical context.
What to do next
Use the secure patient-access method in your booking information to obtain a released report. Keep the link and any login details private.
If the report recommends follow-up, or if you do not understand it, discuss it with your GP, referrer or another appropriate healthcare professional. They can relate the imaging findings to your wider health and decide whether treatment, monitoring or another investigation is appropriate.
Do not wait for a routine report if symptoms suddenly become severe or you believe there is an emergency. Seek urgent medical help.
This article explains the reporting process in general and is not an interpretation of any individual result.