What does Cystic / solid mean on an imaging report?
Cystic means a fluid-filled sac; solid means dense tissue. Simple cysts are usually harmless, while solid or complex areas may get more testing. The report describes which type a finding looks like.
Also written as
- cystic
- cyst
- solid
- complex cyst
- simple cyst
Please read: This page explains general report language and cannot interpret your personal report, diagnose a condition, judge how serious a result is, or recommend treatment. Only your care team can do that.
How to read scan & imaging results
An imaging report is a radiologist's description of what a scan showed, written in careful, hedged language because a picture can suggest but rarely prove what something is. Words like 'suspicious,' 'indeterminate,' or 'cannot exclude' describe how a finding looks, not a diagnosis, and many findings that need a closer look turn out to be harmless after follow-up. Comparing a scan with earlier ones and, when needed, confirming with a biopsy is often what settles the question. The doctor who ordered the scan puts the report together with your history and exam.
Questions to ask your care team
- What does this finding most likely represent?
- Does it need a follow-up scan, a biopsy, or just watching?
- How does it compare with my earlier scans?
- Does this change my diagnosis or treatment plan?
Related scan & imaging terms
- LesionA lesion is a general word for an area that looks different from the tissue around it on a scan or exam.
- MassA mass is an area of tissue that looks thicker or denser than usual on a scan.
- NoduleA nodule is a small, rounded spot seen on a scan.
- Ground-glass opacityA ground-glass opacity is a hazy area on a lung scan where you can still see some detail through it.
- OpacityAn opacity is an area on a scan that blocks more of the imaging beam than usual, so it looks lighter.
- EnhancementEnhancement means an area lights up after contrast dye is given during a scan.
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