Radiology & Imaging Abbreviations

This list collects 394 radiology & imaging abbreviations — imaging terms used in scan requests, radiology reports and image-guided procedures. Every entry shows the full form and a plain-English meaning. One abbreviation can appear in several specialty lists when it is genuinely used in more than one area, and abbreviations with more than one common meaning get a row for each meaning. Terms flagged ⚠ Error-prone are on recognised error-prone lists: write them out in full wherever possible.

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Abbreviation	Full form	What it means	Used in
3D-CRT	three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy	Radiation shaped by 3D planning scans	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
ABVS	automated breast volume scanner	Automated whole-breast ultrasound	Radiology & Imaging
AC	abdominal circumference	Ultrasound measurement around a baby's abdomen before birth	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
AC fetal	abdominal circumference (fetal ultrasound)	Fetal belly size measurement	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
access flow	access flow (Qa surveillance)	Measured blood flow through a dialysis access	Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging
ACR	American College of Radiology (appropriateness context)	Radiology body issuing imaging guidance	Radiology & Imaging General Medical
ADC	apparent diffusion coefficient	MRI map quantifying water diffusion, paired with DWI	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
AFC	antral follicle count	Ultrasound count of resting follicles	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
AFI	amniotic fluid index	Ultrasound measurement of the fluid around the baby	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
air enema	pneumatic reduction (intussusception)	Air pressure untelescoping the bowel	Pediatrics Radiology & Imaging Surgery
ancillary test	ancillary test (brain death)	Confirmatory test when the exam cannot be completed	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
Angio	angiography	X-ray imaging of vessels using contrast	Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
angioplasty access	access angioplasty (dialysis)	Balloon opening of a narrowed dialysis access	Radiology & Imaging Renal & Nephrology Surgery
Ao arch	aortic arch (anatomy)	Curved top segment of the aorta	Cardiology Radiology & Imaging
AO/OTA	AO Foundation Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification	Standard fracture classification system	Musculoskeletal Surgery Radiology & Imaging
AP view	anteroposterior view	X-ray taken front to back	Radiology & Imaging
APBI	accelerated partial breast irradiation	Shortened radiation to part of the breast	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
asc Ao	ascending aorta	First segment of the aorta leaving the heart	Cardiology Radiology & Imaging
ASL	arterial spin labeling	MRI perfusion method using labeled blood, no contrast	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
ASPECTS	Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score	CT score estimating early stroke change	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
aspiration cath stroke	aspiration catheter (stroke device)	Vacuum catheter removing a brain clot	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
aspiration thromb	direct aspiration thrombectomy	Vacuum catheter removal of a clot	Neurology Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
AXR	abdominal X-ray	Imaging of the abdomen with X-rays	Radiology & Imaging Gastroenterology
BAO	basilar artery occlusion	Brainstem artery blockage stroke	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
BAT score	BAT score (hematoma expansion)	Blend, black hole and timing expansion score	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
BEVAR	branched endovascular aneurysm repair	Stent-graft repair using side branches	Radiology & Imaging Surgery
BGC	balloon guide catheter (stroke)	Flow-arrest catheter used in thrombectomy	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
BIRADS	Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System	Standard categories for breast imaging reports	Radiology & Imaging Obstetrics & Gynecology
blend sign	blend sign (hematoma)	Mixed-density bleed appearance predicting growth	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
BLUE protocol	bedside lung ultrasound in emergency protocol	Lung ultrasound approach to acute breathlessness	Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care Respiratory
bone age	bone age (assessment)	Hand X-ray maturity estimate — assessment	Pediatrics Endocrinology Radiology & Imaging
Bone scan	bone scintigraphy	Nuclear scan showing bone activity	Radiology & Imaging Musculoskeletal Hematology & Oncology
bone scan	skeletal scintigraphy	Nuclear scan of the skeleton for spread or injury	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology Musculoskeletal
BPD	biparietal diameter	Ultrasound measurement across a baby's head before birth	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
Brachy	brachytherapy	Radiation placed inside or beside a tumour	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
BRTO	balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration	Vein procedure treating stomach varices	Radiology & Imaging Gastroenterology
bucket handle	bucket-handle fracture (metaphyseal)	Curved growth-end fracture appearance	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
buckle fracture	torus fracture (buckle)	Bent-bone compression fracture of childhood	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
C-arm	C-arm fluoroscopy	Mobile X-ray unit used in operating rooms	Radiology & Imaging Surgery
c-spine child	pediatric cervical spine (clearance)	Child neck clearance after injury	Pediatrics Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
CAD-RADS	coronary artery disease reporting system	Standard categories for coronary CT reports	Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
Canadian CT Head Rule	Canadian CT Head Rule	Head CT decision rule for adults	Emergency & Critical Care Neurology Radiology & Imaging
CAP	controlled attenuation parameter	Fat-in-liver measure from elastography	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
carotid bulb	carotid bulb (bifurcation)	Widening where the carotid splits	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
carotid stent	carotid artery stenting	Stent opening a narrowed neck artery	Surgery Neurology Cardiology Radiology & Imaging
carotid web	carotid web (shelf lesion)	Membrane shelf in the neck artery causing strokes	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
Cath	cardiac catheterization	Tube procedure imaging and treating heart arteries	Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
caudate lobe	caudate lobe (liver)	Small back lobe of the liver	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
CBCT	cone beam computed tomography	3D imaging used in dentistry and image-guided procedures	Radiology & Imaging
CCHR	Canadian CT Head Rule	Decision rule for head CT after minor head injury	Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging Neurology
CCR	Canadian C-Spine Rule	Decision rule for neck imaging after injury	Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
CDUS	color Doppler ultrasound	Flow-imaging ultrasound	Radiology & Imaging
CECT	contrast-enhanced computed tomography	CT with intravenous contrast	Radiology & Imaging
celiac	celiac artery (trunk)	First belly branch feeding liver, stomach and spleen	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
CEM	contrast-enhanced mammography	Mammography with contrast dye	Radiology & Imaging
central stenosis	central venous stenosis (access complication)	Narrowed chest veins from past catheters	Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging
CEUS	contrast-enhanced ultrasound	Ultrasound using microbubble contrast	Radiology & Imaging
CFA	common femoral artery	Main groin artery to the leg	General Medical Cardiology Radiology & Imaging
cGy	centigray	One hundredth of a gray of radiation dose	Radiology & Imaging
CHA	common hepatic artery	Artery to the liver	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
choledochal	choledochal cyst (bile duct)	Bile duct cystic widening	Pediatrics Gastroenterology Surgery Radiology & Imaging
CISS	constructive interference in steady state	High-resolution MRI of cisterns and cranial nerves	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
CL	cervical length (measurement)	Cervix length on ultrasound — measurement	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
Cobb	Cobb angle (measurement)	Spine curvature measurement — measurement	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
coiling	aneurysm coiling (endovascular)	Platinum coils filling a brain aneurysm via catheter	Surgery Neurology Radiology & Imaging
coin ingestion	coin ingestion (foreign body)	Swallowed coin	Pediatrics Gastroenterology Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
collaterals	collateral circulation (stroke imaging)	Backup blood routes around a blockage	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
cord sign	cord sign (sinus thrombosis)	Dense clot line on a brain scan	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
core	ischemic core (imaging)	Dead tissue area on stroke imaging	Neurology Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
core biopsy	core needle biopsy (procedure)	Hollow-needle tissue cores for diagnosis	Surgery Radiology & Imaging
corner fracture	corner fracture (metaphyseal)	Growth-end chip fracture	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
costophrenic	costophrenic angle (anatomy)	Corner where ribs meet diaphragm on X-ray	Respiratory Radiology & Imaging
CPR fetal	cerebroplacental ratio (fetal)	Brain-to-placenta flow ratio in growth restriction	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
CRL	crown-rump length	Ultrasound measurement of a baby from head to bottom	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
CSI	craniospinal irradiation	Radiation to brain and spine	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging Neurology
CT	computed tomography	Cross-sectional X-ray imaging of the body	Radiology & Imaging
CT KUB	computed tomography of kidneys, ureters and bladder	CT scan of the urinary tract, often for stones	Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging
CTA	computed tomography angiography	CT scan using contrast to image blood vessels	Cardiology Radiology & Imaging
CTC	computed tomography colonography	CT imaging of the colon, a virtual colonoscopy	Radiology & Imaging Gastroenterology
CTDI	computed tomography dose index	Radiation dose metric for CT	Radiology & Imaging
CTH	computed tomography head	CT scan of the head and brain	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
CTP	computed tomography perfusion	CT mapping of tissue blood flow, used in stroke	Radiology & Imaging Neurology Emergency & Critical Care
CTPA	computed tomography pulmonary angiography	CT scan with contrast to look for lung artery clots	Cardiology Respiratory Radiology & Imaging
CTSI	CT Severity Index (Balthazar)	Imaging severity score for pancreatitis	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
CTU	computed tomography urography	CT imaging of the urinary tract	Radiology & Imaging Renal & Nephrology
CTV	clinical target volume	Tumor plus margin treated in radiation planning	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
CTV	computed tomography venography	CT imaging of veins	Radiology & Imaging
CVT	sinovenous thrombosis (cerebral)	Clot in the brain's vein channels	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
CW	continuous-wave Doppler	Doppler measuring high-velocity flow	Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
CXR	chest X-ray	X-ray image of the chest, heart and lungs	Respiratory Radiology & Imaging
cystic hygroma	lymphatic malformation (neck)	Fluid-filled lymph channel growth	Pediatrics Surgery Radiology & Imaging
DaTscan	DaTscan (imaging)	Dopamine transporter scan — imaging	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
DaTscan	dopamine transporter scan	Brain scan supporting Parkinson diagnosis	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
DBT	digital breast tomosynthesis	3D mammography	Radiology & Imaging Obstetrics & Gynecology
DCE	dynamic contrast-enhanced	Imaging following contrast wash-in and wash-out	Radiology & Imaging
Deauville	Deauville score	Five-point PET response scale for lymphoma	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
DEB	drug-eluting balloon	Angioplasty balloon coated with drug	Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
DECT	dual-energy computed tomography	CT using two energy levels to characterize tissue	Radiology & Imaging
Decub	decubitus	Lying on one side for imaging or care	Radiology & Imaging Nursing
desc Ao	descending aorta	Aorta segment traveling down the chest and belly	Cardiology Radiology & Imaging
DEXA	dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry	Scan measuring bone density	Endocrinology Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
DFA	deep femoral artery (profunda)	Deep thigh artery	General Medical Radiology & Imaging
DLP	dose length product	Total CT radiation dose measure	Radiology & Imaging
DMSA	dimercaptosuccinic acid scan	Nuclear scan imaging kidney structure	Radiology & Imaging Renal & Nephrology Pediatrics
DMSA	DMSA renal scan (cortical)	Nuclear kidney scarring study	Pediatrics Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging
Doppler	Doppler ultrasound	Ultrasound measuring blood flow	Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
DOTATATE	gallium-68 DOTATATE	PET tracer for neuroendocrine tumors	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology Endocrinology
double bubble	double bubble sign (duodenal)	Two-bubble X-ray sign of blocked duodenum	Pediatrics Radiology & Imaging
DPT	door-to-puncture time (stroke metric)	Arrival to catheter start time	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
DSA	digital subtraction angiography	X-ray imaging of blood vessels using contrast	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
DSC	dynamic susceptibility contrast	Perfusion MRI technique using a contrast bolus	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
DTI	diffusion tensor imaging	MRI mapping white matter tracts	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
DTPA	diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid scan	Nuclear scan imaging kidney function	Radiology & Imaging Renal & Nephrology
DUS	duplex ultrasound	Ultrasound combining pictures and flow measurement	Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
DV	ductus venosus (Doppler)	Fetal vessel waveform checked in growth problems	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
DWI	diffusion-weighted imaging	MRI technique sensitive to early stroke changes	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
DWI lesion	diffusion lesion (MRI)	Fresh stroke area on MRI	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
DXA	dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry	Scan measuring bone density	Endocrinology Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
E/e'	E to e prime ratio	Echo estimate of heart filling pressure	Cardiology Radiology & Imaging
EBRT	external beam radiation therapy	Radiation delivered from outside the body	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
EBUS TBNA	endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration	Scope-ultrasound sampling of chest nodes	Respiratory Surgery Radiology & Imaging
Echo	echocardiogram	Ultrasound scan of the heart	Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
eFAST	extended FAST	Trauma ultrasound extended to the chest	Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
eFAST	extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma	Extended bedside ultrasound scan in trauma	Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
EFW	estimated fetal weight	Ultrasound-calculated fetal weight	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
EIA	external iliac artery	Artery continuing into the leg	General Medical Radiology & Imaging
empty delta	empty delta sign (sinus thrombosis)	Scan sign of a vein channel clot	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
ERCP	endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography	Scope and X-ray procedure on bile and pancreatic ducts	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
eTICI	expanded thrombolysis in cerebral infarction	Finer flow restoration grading	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
EUS	endoscopic ultrasound	Scope with ultrasound examining gut wall and nearby organs	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
EUS FNA	endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration	Scope-ultrasound sampling through the gut wall	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
FAF	fundus autofluorescence	Retinal imaging from natural pigment glow	General Medical Radiology & Imaging
FAST	focused assessment with sonography for trauma	Bedside ultrasound scan in trauma	Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging Surgery
FAST exam	focused assessment with sonography for trauma	Bedside trauma ultrasound scan	Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care Surgery
FDG	fluorodeoxyglucose	Radioactive sugar tracer used in PET scans	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
FEVAR	fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair	Branched stent-graft repair with windowed branches	Radiology & Imaging Surgery
FFA	fundus fluorescein angiography	Dye imaging of retinal circulation	General Medical Radiology & Imaging
FGA	fetal gestational age	Age of the fetus by measurement	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
FIESTA	fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition	Bright-fluid MRI sequence used for nerves and heart	Radiology & Imaging
first pass	first pass effect (thrombectomy)	Complete reopening on the first device pass	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
fistulogram	fistulogram (dialysis access study)	Contrast X-ray of a dialysis fistula	Radiology & Imaging Renal & Nephrology
FL	femur length	Ultrasound measurement of a baby's thigh bone before birth	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
FL fetal	femur length (fetal ultrasound)	Fetal thigh bone measurement	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
FLAIR	fluid-attenuated inversion recovery	MRI sequence suppressing fluid signal	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
FLAIR mismatch	DWI-FLAIR mismatch (stroke timing)	Scan pattern suggesting an early stroke	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
flow diverter	flow diversion (aneurysm)	Stent redirecting flow away from an aneurysm	Surgery Neurology Radiology & Imaging
Fluoro	fluoroscopy	Live moving X-ray imaging	Radiology & Imaging
fMRI	functional magnetic resonance imaging	MRI showing brain activity through blood flow	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
FNA thyroid	fine needle aspiration (thyroid)	Thin-needle sampling of a thyroid nodule	Surgery Endocrinology Radiology & Imaging
FNB	fine needle biopsy (core-type)	Needle obtaining tissue architecture, not just cells	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging Laboratory
FOV	field of view	Size of the imaged area	Radiology & Imaging
FPE abbrev	first pass effect (FPE abbreviation)	Single-pass success — abbreviation	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
fx	fraction (radiation)	One session of a divided radiation course	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
Gad	gadolinium	Contrast agent used in MRI scans	Radiology & Imaging
gastric emptying study	gastric emptying scintigraphy	Nuclear test of stomach emptying speed	Radiology & Imaging Gastroenterology
GDA	gastroduodenal artery	Artery behind the stomach outlet	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
GGO	ground-glass opacity (abbreviation)	Hazy increased lung density on CT	Radiology & Imaging Respiratory
GLS	global longitudinal strain	Echo measure of heart muscle deformation	Cardiology Radiology & Imaging
GRE	gradient recalled echo	Fast MRI sequence sensitive to blood and iron	Radiology & Imaging
GS	gestational sac (ultrasound)	Fluid sac of early pregnancy on scan	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
GTV	gross tumor volume	Visible tumor outlined for radiation planning	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
Gy	gray (radiation dose unit)	Unit of absorbed radiation dose	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
HC fetal	head circumference (fetal ultrasound)	Fetal head size measurement	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
HC/AC	head-to-abdominal circumference ratio	Ratio identifying asymmetric growth problems	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
HDR	high dose rate (brachytherapy)	Internal radiation given quickly at high dose	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
hemorrhagic transformation	hemorrhagic transformation (stroke complication)	Bleeding into a stroke area	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
heterotaxy	heterotaxy (organ arrangement)	Abnormal left-right organ patterning	Pediatrics Cardiology Radiology & Imaging
HIDA	hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan	Nuclear scan of gallbladder and bile flow	Radiology & Imaging Gastroenterology
hilum	hilum (anatomy)	Root of the lung where vessels enter	Respiratory Radiology & Imaging
hip surveillance	hip surveillance (CP program)	Scheduled hip X-rays in cerebral palsy	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
HRCT	high-resolution computed tomography	Detailed CT scan used especially for lung tissue disease	Respiratory Radiology & Imaging
HSG	hysterosalpingography	X-ray test using dye to check the uterus and fallopian tubes	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
HSG procedure	hysterosalpingogram (procedure)	Dye test of the womb and tubes — procedure	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
HU	Hounsfield unit	CT density measurement scale	Radiology & Imaging
HyCoSy	hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography	Ultrasound foam test of tube openness	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
hydronephrosis	antenatal hydronephrosis (finding)	Kidney swelling found before birth — finding	Pediatrics Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging Obstetrics & Gynecology
I-131	iodine-131	Radioactive iodine treating thyroid disease and cancer	Endocrinology Radiology & Imaging Prescription & Medication Orders
ICE	intracardiac echocardiography	Ultrasound imaging from inside the heart	Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
ICGA	indocyanine green angiography	Dye imaging of choroidal circulation	General Medical Radiology & Imaging
IGRT	image-guided radiation therapy	Daily imaging used to aim radiation precisely	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
IIA	internal iliac artery	Pelvic artery feeding the pelvic organs	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
iliac art	common iliac artery	Main pelvic artery	General Medical Radiology & Imaging
IMA	inferior mesenteric artery	Artery feeding the lower colon	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
IMRT	intensity-modulated radiation therapy	Shaped radiation sparing nearby tissue	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
innominate	brachiocephalic artery (innominate)	First large branch off the aortic arch	General Medical Radiology & Imaging
interhemispheric	interhemispheric subdural (abuse pattern)	Blood along the midline in inflicted injury	Pediatrics Neurology Radiology & Imaging
introducer	introducer sheath (device)	Large-bore access sheath for catheters	Cardiology Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
intussusception	intussusception (diagnosis)	Telescoping bowel — diagnosis	Pediatrics Gastroenterology Surgery Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
IP H	intraparenchymal hemorrhage (term)	Bleeding within brain tissue	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
IR	interventional radiology	Image-guided minimally invasive procedures	Radiology & Imaging
IR drain	image-guided drain placement	Radiology placement of a drainage catheter	Radiology & Imaging Surgery
IVC collapsibility	inferior vena cava collapsibility	Ultrasound clue to fluid status	Cardiology Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
IVP	intravenous pyelogram	X-ray imaging of the kidneys using contrast dye	Radiology & Imaging Renal & Nephrology
IVU	intravenous urogram	Contrast X-ray imaging of the urinary tract	Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging
KUB	kidneys, ureters, bladder	X-ray or scan naming the urinary tract organs	Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging
kyphoplasty	balloon kyphoplasty (vertebral)	Balloon and cement repair of a spinal fracture	Surgery Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
Lat	lateral view	Side view on an X-ray image	Radiology & Imaging
LDR	low dose rate (brachytherapy)	Internal radiation given slowly, e.g. seed implants	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
LHA	left hepatic artery	Artery to the left liver	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
LINAC SRS	linear accelerator radiosurgery	Machine-based focused radiation treatment	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology Neurology
Lindegaard	Lindegaard ratio (vasospasm)	Doppler ratio detecting brain artery narrowing	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
LIRADS	Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System	Standard categories for liver imaging in cirrhosis	Radiology & Imaging Gastroenterology
LLD	left lateral decubitus	Lying on the left side	Nursing Radiology & Imaging
LSM	liver stiffness measurement	Numerical result of elastography	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
Lu-177	lutetium-177	Radioactive tag used in targeted cancer therapy	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
Lung-RADS	lung cancer screening reporting system	Standard categories for lung screening CT	Radiology & Imaging Respiratory
LUS	lung ultrasound	Ultrasound examination of the lungs	Radiology & Imaging Respiratory Emergency & Critical Care
LVO	LVO (large vessel occlusion, shorthand)	Big artery stroke blockage shorthand	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
MAG3	MAG3 renal scan (diuretic)	Nuclear kidney drainage study	Pediatrics Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging
MAG3	mercaptoacetyltriglycine scan	Nuclear scan imaging kidney drainage and function	Radiology & Imaging Renal & Nephrology
Mammo	mammogram	X-ray imaging of the breast	Radiology & Imaging
MAPSE	mitral annular plane systolic excursion	Echo measure of left heart function	Cardiology Radiology & Imaging
MCA Doppler	middle cerebral artery Doppler (fetal)	Fetal brain flow study for anemia and growth	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
MCA PSV	middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity	Doppler measure detecting fetal anemia	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
MCA-PSV	middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity	Doppler measure screening for fetal anemia	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
MDCT	multidetector computed tomography	Modern multi-row CT scanning	Radiology & Imaging
Meckel scan	Meckel diverticulum scintigraphy	Nuclear scan for a Meckel diverticulum	Radiology & Imaging Gastroenterology Pediatrics
metaphyseal lesion	classic metaphyseal lesion (abuse)	Corner fracture strongly linked to inflicted injury	Pediatrics Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
MeVO	medium vessel occlusion (stroke)	Medium artery stroke blockage	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
MIBG	metaiodobenzylguanidine scan	Nuclear scan used for certain hormone tumours	Radiology & Imaging Endocrinology Hematology & Oncology
MinIP	minimum intensity projection	3D reconstruction showing darkest structures, used for airways	Radiology & Imaging Respiratory
MIP	maximum intensity projection	3D reconstruction showing brightest structures	Radiology & Imaging
MPI	myocardial perfusion imaging	Stress imaging of heart blood flow	Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
MPR	multiplanar reconstruction	Reformatted images in other planes	Radiology & Imaging
MPRAGE	magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo	3D brain MRI sequence for anatomy	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
MRA	magnetic resonance angiography	MRI scan used to image blood vessels	Cardiology Radiology & Imaging
MRCP	magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography	MRI scan of bile and pancreatic ducts	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
MRE	magnetic resonance elastography	MRI measuring tissue stiffness, often liver	Radiology & Imaging Gastroenterology
mRECIST	modified RECIST	Response criteria for liver cancer treatment	Hematology & Oncology Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
MRgFUS	MRI-guided focused ultrasound (fibroid)	Focused sound waves destroying fibroids	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
MRI	magnetic resonance imaging	Imaging using magnets and radio waves, no X-rays	Radiology & Imaging
MRS	spectroscopy (magnetic resonance)	MRI method measuring tissue chemistry peaks	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
MRU	magnetic resonance urography	MRI of the urinary tract	Radiology & Imaging Renal & Nephrology
MRV	magnetic resonance venography	MRI imaging of veins	Radiology & Imaging
mTICI	modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction	Blood-flow restoration grade after thrombectomy	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
MTV	metabolic tumor volume	Total active tumor volume on PET	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
MUGA	multiple gated acquisition scan	Nuclear scan measuring heart pumping function	Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
MVP fluid	maximum vertical pocket (fluid)	Deepest fluid pocket measurement	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
MWA	microwave ablation	Microwave heat treatment destroying tumors	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging Surgery
NB	nasal bone (ultrasound marker)	Presence of the fetal nose bone on scan	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
NCCT	non-contrast computed tomography	CT without intravenous contrast	Radiology & Imaging
nephrostomy	percutaneous nephrostomy (procedure)	Kidney drainage tube through the back	Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging Surgery
NEXUS	National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study criteria	Decision criteria for neck imaging after injury	Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
NM	nuclear medicine	Imaging using small amounts of radioactive tracers	Radiology & Imaging
NT	nuchal translucency	Fluid measurement at the back of a baby's neck on ultrasound	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
NT scan	nuchal translucency scan	First-trimester ultrasound screening measurement	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
O-arm	O-arm imaging system	Intraoperative 3D imaging for spine surgery	Radiology & Imaging Surgery Musculoskeletal
O-RADS	Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System	Standard categories for ovarian imaging	Radiology & Imaging Obstetrics & Gynecology
OAR	organ at risk	Healthy organ near a radiation target that must be spared	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
OCT	optical coherence tomography	Light-based scan imaging the layers of the retina	Radiology & Imaging General Medical
OCTA	optical coherence tomography angiography	Retinal blood flow imaging without dye	General Medical Radiology & Imaging
octreotide scan	somatostatin receptor scintigraphy	Nuclear scan for neuroendocrine tumors	Radiology & Imaging Endocrinology Hematology & Oncology
odontoid child	synchondrosis (odontoid growth plate)	Growth plate of the neck peg bone in children	Pediatrics Radiology & Imaging Musculoskeletal
PA view	posteroanterior view	X-ray taken back to front	Radiology & Imaging
PACS	picture archiving and communication system	System storing and viewing medical images	Radiology & Imaging
PAE	prostatic artery embolization	Blocking prostate arteries to shrink the prostate	Radiology & Imaging
PASP	pulmonary artery systolic pressure	Echo estimate of lung artery pressure	Cardiology Radiology & Imaging Respiratory
pc-ASPECTS	posterior circulation ASPECTS	Brainstem stroke scan score	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
PCI	prophylactic cranial irradiation	Preventive brain radiation in some lung cancers	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging Respiratory
PCN	percutaneous nephrostomy	Kidney drain placed through the back	Radiology & Imaging Renal & Nephrology
PECARN	Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network rule	Decision rules for imaging injured children	Emergency & Critical Care Pediatrics Radiology & Imaging
penumbra	ischemic penumbra (imaging)	Salvageable tissue around a stroke	Neurology Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
PERCIST	PET response criteria in solid tumors	Standard for judging tumor response on PET	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
PET	positron emission tomography	Scan showing metabolic activity in tissues	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
PET-CT	positron emission tomography-computed tomography	Combined metabolic and CT imaging scan	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
PET/CT	positron emission tomography computed tomography	Combined metabolic and anatomic imaging	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
PET/MRI	positron emission tomography magnetic resonance imaging	Combined metabolic and MRI imaging	Radiology & Imaging
PI-RADS v2	Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2	Prostate MRI suspicion categories	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
pigtail	pigtail catheter drainage	Small curled drain for fluid collections	Radiology & Imaging Surgery Emergency & Critical Care
PIRADS	Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System	Standard categories for prostate MRI	Radiology & Imaging
Plain film	plain radiograph	Basic X-ray image without contrast	Radiology & Imaging
POCUS	point-of-care ultrasound	Bedside ultrasound by the treating clinician	Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care Nursing
porta	porta hepatis (anatomy)	Gateway where vessels enter the liver	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
PRRT	peptide receptor radionuclide therapy	Targeted radiation treatment for neuroendocrine tumors	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging Endocrinology
pseudosubluxation	pseudosubluxation (child c-spine)	Normal forward slip appearance in young necks	Pediatrics Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
PSMA	prostate-specific membrane antigen	Target on prostate cancer cells for imaging and therapy	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging Laboratory
PSMA PET	prostate-specific membrane antigen PET	PET imaging targeting prostate cancer	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
PTA	percutaneous transluminal angioplasty	Balloon opening of a narrowed vessel	Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
PTBD	percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage	Bile duct drain placed through the liver	Radiology & Imaging Gastroenterology
PTC	percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography	Contrast study of bile ducts through the liver	Radiology & Imaging Gastroenterology
PTRA	percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty	Balloon opening of a narrowed kidney artery	Radiology & Imaging Renal & Nephrology
PTV	planning target volume	Final radiation treatment outline including movement margin	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
PW	pulsed-wave Doppler	Doppler measuring flow at a specific depth	Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
PWI	perfusion-weighted imaging	MRI measuring tissue blood flow	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
Ra-223	radium-223	Radioactive treatment targeting prostate cancer in bone	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
RAI	radioactive iodine	Iodine-131 treatment for thyroid conditions	Endocrinology Radiology & Imaging
RAIU	radioactive iodine uptake (abbreviation)	Percentage uptake test of the thyroid	Radiology & Imaging Endocrinology
RANO	Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology	Brain tumor response criteria	Hematology & Oncology Neurology Radiology & Imaging
RAP	right atrial pressure	Filling pressure of the right heart	Cardiology Radiology & Imaging
RCVS	reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome	Temporary brain artery narrowing with thunderclap pain	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
RECIST	Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors	Standard tumor measurement response rules	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
renal art	renal artery (anatomy)	Artery to the kidney	Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging
renal US	renal ultrasound (study)	Kidney ultrasound — study	Pediatrics Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging
RFA	radiofrequency ablation	Heat-based destruction of abnormal tissue or pathways	Surgery Cardiology Radiology & Imaging
RHA	right hepatic artery	Artery to the right liver	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
rib fractures child	posterior rib fractures (abuse marker)	Back rib breaks strongly linked to inflicted injury	Pediatrics Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
RIRS	retrograde intrarenal surgery	Stone surgery with a scope passed up the ureter	Renal & Nephrology Surgery Radiology & Imaging
RIS	radiologically isolated syndrome	MS-like MRI findings without symptoms	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
RIS	radiology information system	System managing radiology workflow and reports	Radiology & Imaging
Risser	Risser staging (skeletal maturity)	Pelvis growth plate maturity stage	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
RIT	radioimmunotherapy	Antibody carrying radiation to cancer cells	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
RLD	right lateral decubitus	Lying on the right side	Nursing Radiology & Imaging
roadmap	roadmap imaging	Vessel outline overlay guiding catheter work	Radiology & Imaging
ROI	region of interest	Measured area on an image	Radiology & Imaging
rs-fMRI	resting-state functional MRI	Brain network imaging without a task	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
RTx	radiotherapy	Treatment using targeted radiation	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
runoff	runoff study	Contrast imaging tracing leg arteries downward	Radiology & Imaging
RUSH	rapid ultrasound in shock	Bedside ultrasound protocol for shock	Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
Salter	Salter-Harris classification (growth plate)	Growth plate fracture types — classification	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
SBRT	stereotactic body radiation therapy	Very precise high-dose radiation to a small target	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
scaphoid	scaphoid fracture (wrist)	Wrist bone fracture risking bone death	Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
SCIWORA	spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality	Cord injury with normal imaging, classically in children	Pediatrics Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
Scotty dog	Scotty dog sign (pars defect imaging)	Dog-shaped vertebra appearance with a collar crack	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
SDP	single deepest pocket (fluid)	Ultrasound fluid measurement method	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
Segond	Segond fracture (knee avulsion)	Small knee avulsion linked to ACL tears	Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
sentinel node biopsy imaging	lymphoscintigraphy	Tracer mapping of the first draining lymph node	Radiology & Imaging Surgery Hematology & Oncology
SFA	superficial femoral artery	Main thigh artery	General Medical Radiology & Imaging
SFU grade	Society for Fetal Urology grading	Kidney swelling grade system	Pediatrics Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging
SIS procedure	saline infusion sonohysterography (procedure)	Fluid ultrasound of the womb cavity	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
situs inversus	situs inversus (organ reversal)	Mirror-image organ arrangement	Pediatrics Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
skeletal survey	skeletal survey (abuse)	Full bone X-ray series for injury evaluation	Pediatrics Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
SLN	sentinel lymph node	First node draining a tumor	Hematology & Oncology Surgery Radiology & Imaging
SMA anatomy	superior mesenteric artery (anatomy)	Artery feeding most of the intestines	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
SPECT	single-photon emission computed tomography	Nuclear medicine scan of blood flow or function	Radiology & Imaging
SPGR	spoiled gradient recalled acquisition	Fast 3D MRI sequence	Radiology & Imaging
spot film	spot image (fluoroscopy)	Single captured fluoroscopy image	Radiology & Imaging
spot sign	spot sign (CT bleeding)	Contrast leak predicting bleed growth on scan	Neurology Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
SRS	stereotactic radiosurgery	Single precise radiation treatment, often for brain lesions	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging Neurology
SRS brain	stereotactic radiosurgery (brain)	Focused single-session radiation for brain lesions	Neurology Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
SSD	shaded surface display	Older 3D reconstruction technique	Radiology & Imaging
steeple sign	steeple sign (croup imaging)	Narrowed windpipe shape on a neck X-ray	Pediatrics Radiology & Imaging Respiratory
stent retriever	stent retriever (thrombectomy device)	Mesh device pulling out a brain clot	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
STIR	short tau inversion recovery	MRI sequence suppressing fat signal	Radiology & Imaging Musculoskeletal
SUV	standardized uptake value	Measure of tracer uptake on a PET scan	Radiology & Imaging
SUVmax	maximum standardized uptake value	Hottest uptake value in a lesion on PET	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
SVC syndrome	superior vena cava syndrome (oncology)	Face and arm swelling from a blocked chest vein — oncology	Renal & Nephrology Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
SWE	shear wave elastography	Ultrasound stiffness measurement, often for liver fibrosis	Radiology & Imaging Gastroenterology
SWEDD	scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit	Normal dopamine scan in apparent Parkinsonism	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
SWI	susceptibility-weighted imaging	MRI sequence sensitive to blood products and veins	Radiology & Imaging Neurology
swirl sign	swirl sign (hematoma)	Swirled low density within a bleed	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
SWL	shock wave lithotripsy	Stone fragmentation using external shock waves	Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging Surgery
T1	T1-weighted imaging	MRI sequence type highlighting fat and anatomy	Radiology & Imaging
T1WI	T1-weighted imaging	MRI sequence where fat appears bright	Radiology & Imaging
T2	T2-weighted imaging	MRI sequence type highlighting fluid	Radiology & Imaging
T2*	T2 star (gradient echo susceptibility)	MRI effect highlighting blood products	Radiology & Imaging
T2WI	T2-weighted imaging	MRI sequence where fluid appears bright	Radiology & Imaging
TACE	transarterial chemoembolization	Chemo and blocking particles delivered into liver tumors	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging Gastroenterology
tandem lesion	tandem occlusion (stroke)	Neck plus brain artery blockages together	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
TAPSE	tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion	Echo measure of right heart function	Cardiology Radiology & Imaging
TARE	transarterial radioembolization	Radiation beads delivered into liver tumors	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging Gastroenterology
tarsal coalition	tarsal coalition (fusion)	Foot bones joined by a bar	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
TAUS	transabdominal ultrasound	Ultrasound scan through the abdomen	Radiology & Imaging Obstetrics & Gynecology
TBI	total body irradiation (conditioning)	Whole-body radiation before transplant — distinct from traumatic brain injury	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
TDI	tissue Doppler imaging	Echo technique measuring heart muscle motion	Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
TE	transient elastography	Ultrasound-based stiffness scan of the liver	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
TEE	transesophageal echocardiography	Heart ultrasound from the esophagus — imaging	Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
thrombectomy access	access thrombectomy (dialysis)	Clot removal from a dialysis access	Radiology & Imaging Renal & Nephrology
thrombectomy stroke	mechanical thrombectomy (stroke)	Catheter removal of a brain clot in stroke	Neurology Emergency & Critical Care Radiology & Imaging
thumbprint sign	thumbprint sign (epiglottitis imaging)	Swollen epiglottis shape on a neck X-ray	Pediatrics Radiology & Imaging Emergency & Critical Care
thyroid uptake	radioactive iodine uptake	Nuclear measure of thyroid iodine absorption	Radiology & Imaging Endocrinology
Tillaux	juvenile Tillaux fracture (ankle)	Partial growth plate ankle fracture of teens	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
TIPS	transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt	Channel created in the liver to lower portal pressure	Gastroenterology Radiology & Imaging
TIRADS	Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System	Standard categories for thyroid nodule ultrasound	Radiology & Imaging Endocrinology
TLG	total lesion glycolysis	Combined volume and uptake measure on PET	Radiology & Imaging Hematology & Oncology
TOE	transoesophageal echocardiogram	Heart ultrasound from a probe in the food pipe	Radiology & Imaging Cardiology
triplane	triplane fracture (ankle adolescent)	Three-plane growth plate ankle fracture	Pediatrics Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging Surgery
TRUS	transrectal ultrasound	Prostate ultrasound scan through the rectum	Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging
TVUS	transvaginal ultrasound	Ultrasound scan through the vagina	Radiology & Imaging Obstetrics & Gynecology
UA Doppler	umbilical artery Doppler	Blood flow study of the cord vessels	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
UAE	uterine artery embolization (fibroid)	Blocking fibroid blood supply — fibroid	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
UFE	uterine fibroid embolization	Fibroid treatment by artery blocking	Radiology & Imaging Obstetrics & Gynecology
UPJ obstruction	ureteropelvic junction obstruction (diagnosis)	Kidney outlet narrowing — diagnosis	Pediatrics Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging
US	ultrasound	Imaging using sound waves	Radiology & Imaging
USS	ultrasound scan	Imaging using sound waves	Radiology & Imaging
UtA Doppler	uterine artery Doppler	Flow study predicting preeclampsia and growth problems	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging
UTD	urinary tract dilation (classification)	Modern kidney swelling classification	Pediatrics Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging
V/Q	ventilation-perfusion scan	Nuclear scan comparing air and blood flow in lungs	Radiology & Imaging Respiratory
V/Q scan	ventilation-perfusion scan	Scan comparing air flow and blood flow in the lungs	Respiratory Radiology & Imaging
vascular malformation group	vascular anomalies (classification group)	Birthmark vessel malformation grouping	Pediatrics Surgery Radiology & Imaging
VCUG proc	voiding cystourethrogram (procedure)	Bladder X-ray during urination — procedure	Renal & Nephrology Radiology & Imaging Pediatrics
vert art	vertebral artery	Artery traveling through the neck bones to the brain	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
VMAT	volumetric modulated arc therapy	Radiation delivered in rotating arcs	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
VR	volume rendering	3D reconstruction technique	Radiology & Imaging
VTI	velocity time integral	Doppler measure used to calculate flow and stroke volume	Cardiology Radiology & Imaging
watershed	watershed infarct (borderzone)	Stroke at territory borders from low flow	Neurology Radiology & Imaging
WBC scan	radiolabeled white blood cell scan	Nuclear scan locating infection	Radiology & Imaging Infectious Disease
WBRT	whole brain radiation therapy	Radiation to the entire brain for spread of cancer	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging Neurology
WEB	Woven EndoBridge (aneurysm device)	Intrasaccular device treating wide-neck aneurysms	Neurology Radiology & Imaging Surgery
Weber	Danis-Weber classification	Ankle fracture classification	Musculoskeletal Radiology & Imaging
XR	X-ray	Imaging using radiation to picture bones and organs	Radiology & Imaging
XRT	radiation therapy	Cancer treatment using targeted radiation	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
Y-90	yttrium-90	Radioactive particles used in liver tumor embolization	Hematology & Oncology Radiology & Imaging
YAG	yttrium aluminum garnet laser	Laser used for capsule and iris procedures	General Medical Surgery Radiology & Imaging
YS	yolk sac (ultrasound)	Early pregnancy structure inside the sac	Obstetrics & Gynecology Radiology & Imaging

Educational reference only. This guide is for learning and quick reference. Abbreviations vary between hospitals, countries and specialties, and some are discouraged because they can be misread. Always write and interpret orders using your own institution’s approved abbreviation list, and check anything unclear with the prescriber or your local policy.

Radiology & Imaging Abbreviations — MedicalVideos.com

3D-CRT — three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy

ABVS — automated breast volume scanner

AC — abdominal circumference

AC fetal — abdominal circumference (fetal ultrasound)

access flow — access flow (Qa surveillance)

ACR — American College of Radiology (appropriateness context)

ADC — apparent diffusion coefficient

AFC — antral follicle count

AFI — amniotic fluid index

air enema — pneumatic reduction (intussusception)

ancillary test — ancillary test (brain death)

Angio — angiography

angioplasty access — access angioplasty (dialysis)

Ao arch — aortic arch (anatomy)

AO/OTA — AO Foundation Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification

AP view — anteroposterior view

APBI — accelerated partial breast irradiation

asc Ao — ascending aorta

ASL — arterial spin labeling

ASPECTS — Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score

aspiration cath stroke — aspiration catheter (stroke device)

aspiration thromb — direct aspiration thrombectomy

AXR — abdominal X-ray

BAO — basilar artery occlusion

BAT score — BAT score (hematoma expansion)

BEVAR — branched endovascular aneurysm repair

BGC — balloon guide catheter (stroke)

BIRADS — Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System

blend sign — blend sign (hematoma)

BLUE protocol — bedside lung ultrasound in emergency protocol

bone age — bone age (assessment)

Bone scan — bone scintigraphy

bone scan — skeletal scintigraphy

BPD — biparietal diameter

Brachy — brachytherapy

BRTO — balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration

bucket handle — bucket-handle fracture (metaphyseal)

buckle fracture — torus fracture (buckle)

C-arm — C-arm fluoroscopy

c-spine child — pediatric cervical spine (clearance)

CAD-RADS — coronary artery disease reporting system

Canadian CT Head Rule — Canadian CT Head Rule

CAP — controlled attenuation parameter

carotid bulb — carotid bulb (bifurcation)

carotid stent — carotid artery stenting

carotid web — carotid web (shelf lesion)

Cath — cardiac catheterization

caudate lobe — caudate lobe (liver)

CBCT — cone beam computed tomography

CCHR — Canadian CT Head Rule

CCR — Canadian C-Spine Rule

CDUS — color Doppler ultrasound

CECT — contrast-enhanced computed tomography

celiac — celiac artery (trunk)

CEM — contrast-enhanced mammography

central stenosis — central venous stenosis (access complication)

CEUS — contrast-enhanced ultrasound

CFA — common femoral artery

cGy — centigray

CHA — common hepatic artery

choledochal — choledochal cyst (bile duct)

CISS — constructive interference in steady state

CL — cervical length (measurement)

Cobb — Cobb angle (measurement)

coiling — aneurysm coiling (endovascular)

coin ingestion — coin ingestion (foreign body)

collaterals — collateral circulation (stroke imaging)

cord sign — cord sign (sinus thrombosis)

core — ischemic core (imaging)

core biopsy — core needle biopsy (procedure)

corner fracture — corner fracture (metaphyseal)

costophrenic — costophrenic angle (anatomy)

CPR fetal — cerebroplacental ratio (fetal)

CRL — crown-rump length

CSI — craniospinal irradiation

CT — computed tomography

CT KUB — computed tomography of kidneys, ureters and bladder

CTA — computed tomography angiography

CTC — computed tomography colonography

CTDI — computed tomography dose index

CTH — computed tomography head

CTP — computed tomography perfusion

CTPA — computed tomography pulmonary angiography

CTSI — CT Severity Index (Balthazar)

CTU — computed tomography urography

CTV — clinical target volume

CTV — computed tomography venography

CVT — sinovenous thrombosis (cerebral)

CW — continuous-wave Doppler

CXR — chest X-ray

cystic hygroma — lymphatic malformation (neck)

DaTscan — DaTscan (imaging)

DaTscan — dopamine transporter scan

DBT — digital breast tomosynthesis

DCE — dynamic contrast-enhanced

Deauville — Deauville score

DEB — drug-eluting balloon

DECT — dual-energy computed tomography

Decub — decubitus

desc Ao — descending aorta

DEXA — dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

DFA — deep femoral artery (profunda)

DLP — dose length product

DMSA — dimercaptosuccinic acid scan

DMSA — DMSA renal scan (cortical)

Doppler — Doppler ultrasound

DOTATATE — gallium-68 DOTATATE

double bubble — double bubble sign (duodenal)

DPT — door-to-puncture time (stroke metric)

DSA — digital subtraction angiography

DSC — dynamic susceptibility contrast

DTI — diffusion tensor imaging

DTPA — diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid scan

DUS — duplex ultrasound

DV — ductus venosus (Doppler)

DWI — diffusion-weighted imaging

DWI lesion — diffusion lesion (MRI)

DXA — dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

E/e' — E to e prime ratio

EBRT — external beam radiation therapy

EBUS TBNA — endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration

Echo — echocardiogram

eFAST — extended FAST

eFAST — extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma

EFW — estimated fetal weight

EIA — external iliac artery

empty delta — empty delta sign (sinus thrombosis)

ERCP — endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

eTICI — expanded thrombolysis in cerebral infarction

EUS — endoscopic ultrasound

EUS FNA — endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration

FAF — fundus autofluorescence

FAST — focused assessment with sonography for trauma

FAST exam — focused assessment with sonography for trauma

FDG — fluorodeoxyglucose

FEVAR — fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair

FFA — fundus fluorescein angiography

FGA — fetal gestational age

FIESTA — fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition

first pass — first pass effect (thrombectomy)

fistulogram — fistulogram (dialysis access study)

FL — femur length

FL fetal — femur length (fetal ultrasound)

FLAIR — fluid-attenuated inversion recovery

FLAIR mismatch — DWI-FLAIR mismatch (stroke timing)

flow diverter — flow diversion (aneurysm)

Fluoro — fluoroscopy

fMRI — functional magnetic resonance imaging

FNA thyroid — fine needle aspiration (thyroid)

FNB — fine needle biopsy (core-type)

FOV — field of view

FPE abbrev — first pass effect (FPE abbreviation)

fx — fraction (radiation)

Gad — gadolinium

gastric emptying study — gastric emptying scintigraphy

GDA — gastroduodenal artery

GGO — ground-glass opacity (abbreviation)

GLS — global longitudinal strain

GRE — gradient recalled echo

GS — gestational sac (ultrasound)

GTV — gross tumor volume

Gy — gray (radiation dose unit)

HC fetal — head circumference (fetal ultrasound)

HC/AC — head-to-abdominal circumference ratio

HDR — high dose rate (brachytherapy)

hemorrhagic transformation — hemorrhagic transformation (stroke complication)

heterotaxy — heterotaxy (organ arrangement)

HIDA — hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan

hilum — hilum (anatomy)

hip surveillance — hip surveillance (CP program)

HRCT — high-resolution computed tomography

HSG — hysterosalpingography

HSG procedure — hysterosalpingogram (procedure)

HU — Hounsfield unit

HyCoSy — hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography

hydronephrosis — antenatal hydronephrosis (finding)

I-131 — iodine-131

ICE — intracardiac echocardiography

ICGA — indocyanine green angiography

IGRT — image-guided radiation therapy

IIA — internal iliac artery

iliac art — common iliac artery

IMA — inferior mesenteric artery

IMRT — intensity-modulated radiation therapy

innominate — brachiocephalic artery (innominate)

interhemispheric — interhemispheric subdural (abuse pattern)

introducer — introducer sheath (device)

intussusception — intussusception (diagnosis)

IP H — intraparenchymal hemorrhage (term)

IR — interventional radiology

IR drain — image-guided drain placement

IVC collapsibility — inferior vena cava collapsibility

IVP — intravenous pyelogram

IVU — intravenous urogram

KUB — kidneys, ureters, bladder

kyphoplasty — balloon kyphoplasty (vertebral)

Lat — lateral view

LDR — low dose rate (brachytherapy)

LHA — left hepatic artery

LINAC SRS — linear accelerator radiosurgery

Lindegaard — Lindegaard ratio (vasospasm)

LIRADS — Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System

LLD — left lateral decubitus

LSM — liver stiffness measurement

Lu-177 — lutetium-177

Lung-RADS — lung cancer screening reporting system

LUS — lung ultrasound

LVO — LVO (large vessel occlusion, shorthand)

MAG3 — MAG3 renal scan (diuretic)

MAG3 — mercaptoacetyltriglycine scan

Mammo — mammogram

MAPSE — mitral annular plane systolic excursion

MCA Doppler — middle cerebral artery Doppler (fetal)

MCA PSV — middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity

MCA-PSV — middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity

MDCT — multidetector computed tomography

Meckel scan — Meckel diverticulum scintigraphy

metaphyseal lesion — classic metaphyseal lesion (abuse)

MeVO — medium vessel occlusion (stroke)

MIBG — metaiodobenzylguanidine scan

MinIP — minimum intensity projection

MIP — maximum intensity projection

MPI — myocardial perfusion imaging

MPR — multiplanar reconstruction

MPRAGE — magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo

MRA — magnetic resonance angiography

MRCP — magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography

MRE — magnetic resonance elastography

mRECIST — modified RECIST

MRgFUS — MRI-guided focused ultrasound (fibroid)

MRI — magnetic resonance imaging

MRS — spectroscopy (magnetic resonance)

MRU — magnetic resonance urography

MRV — magnetic resonance venography

mTICI — modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction

MTV — metabolic tumor volume

MUGA — multiple gated acquisition scan

MVP fluid — maximum vertical pocket (fluid)

MWA — microwave ablation

NB — nasal bone (ultrasound marker)

NCCT — non-contrast computed tomography

nephrostomy — percutaneous nephrostomy (procedure)

NEXUS — National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study criteria

NM — nuclear medicine

NT — nuchal translucency

NT scan — nuchal translucency scan

O-arm — O-arm imaging system

O-RADS — Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System

OAR — organ at risk

OCT — optical coherence tomography

OCTA — optical coherence tomography angiography

octreotide scan — somatostatin receptor scintigraphy

odontoid child — synchondrosis (odontoid growth plate)

PA view — posteroanterior view

PACS — picture archiving and communication system

PAE — prostatic artery embolization

PASP — pulmonary artery systolic pressure

pc-ASPECTS — posterior circulation ASPECTS

PCI — prophylactic cranial irradiation

PCN — percutaneous nephrostomy

PECARN — Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network rule

penumbra — ischemic penumbra (imaging)

PERCIST — PET response criteria in solid tumors

PET — positron emission tomography

PET-CT — positron emission tomography-computed tomography

PET/CT — positron emission tomography computed tomography

PET/MRI — positron emission tomography magnetic resonance imaging

PI-RADS v2 — Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2

pigtail — pigtail catheter drainage

PIRADS — Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System

Plain film — plain radiograph

POCUS — point-of-care ultrasound

porta — porta hepatis (anatomy)

PRRT — peptide receptor radionuclide therapy

pseudosubluxation — pseudosubluxation (child c-spine)

PSMA — prostate-specific membrane antigen

PSMA PET — prostate-specific membrane antigen PET

PTA — percutaneous transluminal angioplasty

PTBD — percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage

PTC — percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography

PTRA — percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty

PTV — planning target volume

PW — pulsed-wave Doppler

PWI — perfusion-weighted imaging

Ra-223 — radium-223

RAI — radioactive iodine

RAIU — radioactive iodine uptake (abbreviation)

RANO — Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology

RAP — right atrial pressure

RCVS — reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome

RECIST — Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors

renal art — renal artery (anatomy)

renal US — renal ultrasound (study)

RFA — radiofrequency ablation

RHA — right hepatic artery

rib fractures child — posterior rib fractures (abuse marker)

RIRS — retrograde intrarenal surgery

RIS — radiologically isolated syndrome

RIS — radiology information system

Risser — Risser staging (skeletal maturity)

RIT — radioimmunotherapy

RLD — right lateral decubitus

roadmap — roadmap imaging

ROI — region of interest

rs-fMRI — resting-state functional MRI

RTx — radiotherapy

runoff — runoff study

RUSH — rapid ultrasound in shock

Salter — Salter-Harris classification (growth plate)

SBRT — stereotactic body radiation therapy

scaphoid — scaphoid fracture (wrist)

SCIWORA — spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality

Scotty dog — Scotty dog sign (pars defect imaging)

SDP — single deepest pocket (fluid)

Segond — Segond fracture (knee avulsion)

sentinel node biopsy imaging — lymphoscintigraphy

SFA — superficial femoral artery

SFU grade — Society for Fetal Urology grading

SIS procedure — saline infusion sonohysterography (procedure)

situs inversus — situs inversus (organ reversal)

skeletal survey — skeletal survey (abuse)

SLN — sentinel lymph node

SMA anatomy — superior mesenteric artery (anatomy)

SPECT — single-photon emission computed tomography

SPGR — spoiled gradient recalled acquisition

spot film — spot image (fluoroscopy)

spot sign — spot sign (CT bleeding)

SRS — stereotactic radiosurgery

SRS brain — stereotactic radiosurgery (brain)

SSD — shaded surface display

steeple sign — steeple sign (croup imaging)

stent retriever — stent retriever (thrombectomy device)

STIR — short tau inversion recovery

SUV — standardized uptake value

SUVmax — maximum standardized uptake value

SVC syndrome — superior vena cava syndrome (oncology)

SWE — shear wave elastography

SWEDD — scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit

SWI — susceptibility-weighted imaging

swirl sign — swirl sign (hematoma)

SWL — shock wave lithotripsy

T1 — T1-weighted imaging

T1WI — T1-weighted imaging

T2 — T2-weighted imaging

T2* — T2 star (gradient echo susceptibility)

T2WI — T2-weighted imaging

TACE — transarterial chemoembolization

tandem lesion — tandem occlusion (stroke)

TAPSE — tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion

TARE — transarterial radioembolization

tarsal coalition — tarsal coalition (fusion)

TAUS — transabdominal ultrasound

TBI — total body irradiation (conditioning)

TDI — tissue Doppler imaging

TE — transient elastography

TEE — transesophageal echocardiography

thrombectomy access — access thrombectomy (dialysis)

thrombectomy stroke — mechanical thrombectomy (stroke)

thumbprint sign — thumbprint sign (epiglottitis imaging)

thyroid uptake — radioactive iodine uptake

Tillaux — juvenile Tillaux fracture (ankle)

TIPS — transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

TIRADS — Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System

TLG — total lesion glycolysis

TOE — transoesophageal echocardiogram

triplane — triplane fracture (ankle adolescent)

TRUS — transrectal ultrasound

TVUS — transvaginal ultrasound

UA Doppler — umbilical artery Doppler

UAE — uterine artery embolization (fibroid)

UFE — uterine fibroid embolization

UPJ obstruction — ureteropelvic junction obstruction (diagnosis)

US — ultrasound

USS — ultrasound scan

UtA Doppler — uterine artery Doppler

UTD — urinary tract dilation (classification)

V/Q — ventilation-perfusion scan

V/Q scan — ventilation-perfusion scan

vascular malformation group — vascular anomalies (classification group)

VCUG proc — voiding cystourethrogram (procedure)

vert art — vertebral artery

VMAT — volumetric modulated arc therapy

VR — volume rendering

VTI — velocity time integral

watershed — watershed infarct (borderzone)

WBC scan — radiolabeled white blood cell scan

WBRT — whole brain radiation therapy

WEB — Woven EndoBridge (aneurysm device)

Weber — Danis-Weber classification

XR — X-ray

XRT — radiation therapy

Y-90 — yttrium-90

YAG — yttrium aluminum garnet laser

YS — yolk sac (ultrasound)

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Radiology & Imaging Abbreviations

Radiology & Imaging Abbreviations — MedicalVideos.com

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