An ultrasound report is a structured clinical document prepared by the sonographer or radiologist who performed your scan. At Sonoworld, all reports are prepared by consultant sonographers and follow a standard structure:
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Echogenic / hyperechoic | Brighter than the surrounding tissue on ultrasound. Gallstones, calcifications, and fatty tissue are typically echogenic. |
| Hypoechoic | Darker than the surrounding tissue. Many solid masses (including some tumours) appear hypoechoic. |
| Anechoic | No internal echoes — appears completely black on ultrasound. Simple fluid-filled cysts are anechoic. |
| Heterogeneous | Mixed echogenicity — the tissue has areas of different brightness. Can indicate complex pathology. |
| Homogeneous | Uniform echogenicity throughout — generally a reassuring feature. |
| Vascularity | Blood flow within a lesion, detected by Doppler. Increased vascularity in a mass can be a feature of malignancy. |
| Acoustic shadowing | A dark shadow behind a structure, caused by sound waves being blocked. Classic feature of gallstones and kidney stones. |
| Posterior enhancement | Increased brightness behind a structure. Classic feature of a simple cyst (fluid transmits sound well). |
| Hydronephrosis | Swelling of the kidney due to a blockage to urine outflow. |
| Splenomegaly | Enlarged spleen (normal adult spleen is less than 12cm in length). |
| Hepatomegaly | Enlarged liver. |
| Steatosis | Fatty infiltration of the liver — the ultrasound appearance of fatty liver disease. |
A normal report will describe each organ as being of normal size, shape, and echogenicity, with no focal lesions, masses, or abnormalities identified. The impression will typically state "no significant abnormality detected" or similar. A normal report is genuinely reassuring — it means the structures examined are within normal limits on the day of the scan.
An abnormal finding does not necessarily mean something serious. Many findings — such as simple liver cysts, small gallbladder polyps, or mildly enlarged lymph nodes — are common, benign, and require no treatment. Your report will include a recommendation for each finding.
If your report recommends urgent follow-up or referral, act on this promptly. If you are unsure what your report means, call Sonoworld on 020 3633 4902 — your sonographer is happy to explain the findings.
The most common source of anxiety after a scan is a report that mentions an incidental finding — something seen that was not the reason for the scan. A classic example is a simple liver cyst found during an abdominal scan for gallstones. Simple liver cysts are present in approximately 5% of the population, are almost always benign, and require no treatment. At Sonoworld, we explain incidental findings verbally at the end of every scan so patients leave understanding what was found and what, if anything, needs to happen next.
Verbal results before you leave. You will not leave your appointment without knowing what was found. At the end of every scan the consultant sonographer explains the findings in plain language — what was seen, what it means, and what if anything needs to happen next. That conversation is part of every appointment, not an extra.
Your written report within 24 hours. A formal report follows by email within 24 hours. It describes every structure examined, the size and characteristics of any findings, a clinical impression summarising their significance, and a recommendation for next steps. It is a valid clinical document your GP, specialist or employer can act on. Ask at booking if you would prefer it posted.
A normal scan is genuinely reassuring — the structures examined were within normal limits on the day. It does not mean your symptoms are imagined. It means ultrasound did not find a structural cause for them on this occasion. If symptoms persist, your GP may arrange blood tests, CT, MRI or endoscopy to assess what ultrasound cannot.
Findings are categorised, and the report recommends the matching next step. Most fall into one of three groups:
| Category | Examples | Typical recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Benign, no action needed | Simple liver cyst, small gallbladder polyp under 5 mm, simple renal cyst | Reassurance; no follow-up required |
| Benign, surveillance recommended | Gallbladder polyp 5–9 mm, thyroid nodule TI-RADS 3, complex renal cyst Bosniak IIF | Repeat ultrasound in 6–12 months |
| Requires further investigation | Gallstones with cholecystitis, solid renal mass, suspicious lymph node, confirmed DVT | Urgent GP referral or A&E attendance |
You can email it directly, bring a printed copy, or ask us to send it on your behalf with your written consent. Most GPs welcome private imaging reports — they reduce the need for NHS diagnostic appointments and can shorten the referral pathway.
The question we are asked most often at the end of a scan is: what do I do now?
For a normal scan the answer is usually straightforward — share the report with your GP and discuss whether anything further is needed for your symptoms. Where a finding needs follow-up, we always make the urgency explicit: whether it is something to raise at your next routine appointment, or something that warrants a call to your GP today. We never leave a patient uncertain about what to do next.
Yes. Your report is a valid clinical document that your GP can act on. Many GPs welcome private imaging reports as they reduce the need for NHS diagnostic appointments.
Call us on 020 3633 4902. Your consultant sonographer will explain the findings in plain language.
Your written report is emailed within 24 hours of your appointment. You also receive an instant verbal summary at the end of the scan.
Sonoworld is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our sonographers are registered with HCPC and are members of BMUS. All scans are performed at our Marylebone clinic: 29 Weymouth Street, London W1G 7DB.
Related: how to prepare for your scan and what colour Doppler, duplex and triplex mean.
Yes. If you have had a scan elsewhere and are uncertain about the findings, we can perform a repeat scan or review your existing images. Call 020 3633 4902 to discuss.
Images can be provided on request. Contact us on 020 3633 4902 or email after your appointment.
Need a scan or a second opinion? See all ultrasound scans at our Marylebone clinic.
Do you need a referral? See do I need a GP referral for a private ultrasound.
