How to Write a Great Report: Diagnostic Radiologist's Perspective

Francis Deng, MD shares expert tips on crafting clear, structured, and clinically valuable diagnostic radiology reports. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction: The Radiologist as the Influencer of Medicine 1:19 - Structuring an Objective, Skimmable Findings Section 2:34 - The Hidden Value of Structured Reporting & Checklists 3:35 - Wordsmithing: Avoiding Jargon & Using Precise Language 8:22 - The Clinical Weight of Words ("Bulky", "Conglomerate") 9:38 - Crafting a Standalone, Actionable Impression Section 12:38 - Synthesizing Multimodal Imaging & Clinical Context 14:10 - Case Study: Head & Neck Cancer PET CT Synthesis About This Video: As part of the Resident Symposium at ARRS 2026, this is the first lecture in the "How to Write a Quality Radiology Report" series. In this presentation, Francis Deng, MD, breaks down the diagnostic radiologist's perspective on what transforms a standard imaging read into a truly great medical report. A radiology report is not just a receipt for looking at images; it is a radiologist's major work product that drives clinical value and influences patient management. Key takeaways for radiology residents and practicing physicians: A great radiology report translates imaging data into clear, actionable language that answers the implicit or explicit clinical question. The findings section should be objective, easy to skim, and organized with section headers or bulleted lists rather than a "stream of consciousness" data dump. Structured reporting benefits the reader by making reports easier to digest, while also serving as a checklist to support the radiologist's systematic search pattern. Be mindful of wordsmithing; terms like "bulky," "conglomerate," and "encasement" have highly specific clinical meanings that can alter disease staging or surgical management. The impression section should lead with a definitive diagnosis or prioritized differential, be understandable to generalist clinicians, and provide actionable recommendations for any uncertainty. Radiologists must synthesize all available data—including prior studies, multimodal imaging, and clinical charts—to provide expert value, rather than merely describing a single image. Subscribe to the ARRS channel for more expert lectures, reporting strategies, and comprehensive educational content for radiology professionals. Become an ARRS Member: Discover trainee resources and membership benefits at arrs.org/join #Radiology #RadiologyReport #MedicalEducation #ARRS2026 #DiagnosticRadiology