What does “Hypodense” mean on a radiology report?
Appears darker on CT scan, indicating lower density tissue.
Does this mean something is wrong?
Not on its own. A radiology report describes what the images show, in language written for the doctor who ordered the scan. One term is rarely the whole picture — what it means for you depends on why you were scanned and what else the report says.
If the report worries you, the person who can actually answer that is the doctor who referred you. Understanding the words first usually makes that conversation a better one.
Want your whole report explained?
One term is a start. Radily reads your full report and explains it in plain English — and can talk you through it on video, so you are not reading medical language alone.
Other technical terms
- ArtifactAn abnormal appearance on an image caused by the scanning process, not actual anatomy.
- AttenuationHow much X-rays are absorbed by tissue. Dense tissue (bone) shows high attenuation (bright), while air shows low attenuation (dark).
- AxialCross-sectional images taken in a horizontal plane, like slicing bread.
- ContrastA dye injected or swallowed to make certain tissues show up better on imaging.
- CoronalImages taken from front to back, dividing the body into front and back portions.
- DensityHow solid or compact tissue appears on imaging. High density = bright (bone), low density = dark (air).
This explains a term as it is commonly used in radiology reports. It is not a diagnosis and not medical advice. Discuss your own results with your doctor.