MRI Scan Results: What Happens Next?

Your MRI is done, and the report is in your hands. What happens now depends entirely on what the report says — and understanding the different scenarios helps you respond calmly and take the right next steps. This guide covers every common outcome, from "all clear" to "urgent referral needed."

How MRI Results Are Delivered

Private MRI (through Lola Health)

• Results are typically available within 7 working days
• You receive a written report from a consultant radiologist (GMC-registered, minimum 13 years' training)
• Your scan images are accessible via a secure digital portal — you can view, download, and share them
• Results come directly to you (not via a GP), though you can request a copy be sent to your GP
• If the radiologist identifies genuinely urgent findings, the centre contacts you (and your GP if on file) without waiting for the standard turnaround

NHS MRI

• Results go to the doctor who requested the scan (your GP or hospital consultant), not to you directly
• Turnaround is typically 1-4 weeks, though it varies by trust and urgency
• You may receive results at a follow-up appointment, by letter, or by phone — the format varies
• You have a legal right to request a copy of your report and images (Subject Access Request under UK GDPR)

Scenario 1: Normal Results ("No Significant Abnormality")

If the conclusion says "no significant abnormality detected," "unremarkable," or "within normal limits," your scan is normal. Nothing worrying was found.

What to do

• Keep the report — A normal MRI is a valuable baseline for future comparison. If you ever need another scan, radiologists can compare the two.
• Symptoms persist? — A normal MRI doesn't always explain symptoms. It rules out structural causes, but some conditions (fibromyalgia, functional pain syndromes, early inflammatory conditions) may not show up on imaging. Discuss other investigations with your GP — blood tests can investigate biochemical causes that MRI can't see.
• No follow-up imaging is needed unless your symptoms change or new ones develop.

Scenario 2: Incidental Findings

Incidental findings are abnormalities discovered by chance — unrelated to the reason for the scan. MRI is so detailed that roughly 40% of healthy adults will have at least one incidental finding. The vast majority are benign and clinically irrelevant.

Common incidental findings (usually harmless)

• Small cysts — Brain (pineal cysts in ~10% of people), kidney (in ~25% of adults over 50), liver, ovarian. Almost always benign.
• Haemangiomas — Benign blood vessel growths in the liver (~5% of adults) or vertebral bodies. Harmless.
• Lipomas — Benign fatty lumps. Very common.
• Anatomical variants — Normal variations in blood vessels, organ position, or bone structure that differ from textbook anatomy but cause no problems.
• Degenerative changes — Age-related wear and tear in the spine and joints, present in the majority of adults over 30 and often completely asymptomatic.

What to do

• Read the report conclusion — the radiologist will explicitly state whether follow-up is needed
• Most incidental findings require no treatment and no further investigation
• Some may need a follow-up scan in 6-12 months to confirm stability (this is routine monitoring, not alarm)
• Discuss any incidental findings with your GP if you want reassurance
• Do not spiral into health anxiety over findings described as "benign," "stable," or "of no clinical significance"

Scenario 3: Diagnostic Findings (Confirming a Suspected Problem)

If the scan was done to investigate specific symptoms, the report may confirm what was suspected — or reveal a different explanation. Common diagnostic findings and typical next steps:

Finding	Typical Next Step
Disc herniation / protrusion	Physiotherapy, pain management, orthopaedic or neurosurgical referral if severe
Meniscal or ligament tear	Orthopaedic surgeon or sports medicine specialist referral
Rotator cuff tear	Orthopaedic referral, physiotherapy, possible surgical repair
Inflammatory changes (e.g., sacroiliitis)	Rheumatology referral, blood tests (CRP, ESR, HLA-B27)
Brain lesion / mass	Neurology or neurosurgery referral, possibly contrast MRI or biopsy
Liver / kidney lesion	Further characterisation (contrast MRI or CT), possible biopsy, hepatology/urology referral
Prostate PI-RADS 4-5 lesion	Urology referral, likely targeted biopsy

What to do

• Take your report to your GP — They can arrange NHS referrals to specialists at no additional cost to you
• Prefer to continue privately? — Use the report to book a private specialist consultation directly
• Follow recommendations — If the report recommends further imaging, blood tests, or specialist review, act on them within the suggested timeframe
• Ask questions — If anything in the report is unclear, your GP can explain it in the context of your symptoms

Scenario 4: Urgent Findings

In rare cases, the radiologist identifies something that needs immediate attention. The report will state "urgent clinical review recommended," "urgent referral advised," or similar wording. Examples include:

• Suspected malignancy with aggressive features
• Cauda equina compression (causing bladder/bowel dysfunction)
• Significant vascular abnormality (e.g., large aneurysm)
• Cord compression

What to do

• The scanning centre will typically contact you directly — don't wait for the report to arrive
• Your GP will be notified if their details are on file
• Follow the advice given — this may mean contacting your GP urgently, attending A&E, or being fast-tracked to a specialist
• Urgent findings are genuinely rare in private screening — but when they occur, early detection through MRI is exactly the point

Scenario 5: Follow-Up Imaging Recommended

The report may recommend a follow-up scan — for example, "repeat MRI in 6 months," "recommend CT chest for further evaluation," or "consider contrast-enhanced MRI." This is common and does not mean something is seriously wrong. Follow-up imaging is used to:

• Monitor a finding over time to confirm it's stable (not growing)
• Use a different imaging modality better suited to a specific finding (e.g., CT for lungs, ultrasound for thyroid)
• Add contrast to better characterise something seen on the initial non-contrast scan
• Track response to treatment

What to do

• Book the recommended follow-up within the suggested timeframe — don't ignore it, but don't panic either
• Through Lola Health, follow-up MRI scans can be booked quickly at the same or a different centre
• Bring your previous report and images to the follow-up for comparison

Sharing Your Results

With your GP

You can (and should) share your private MRI results with your NHS GP. They can:

• Add the results to your NHS medical record
• Arrange specialist referrals through the NHS pathway at no cost
• Order further investigations (blood tests, other imaging) if needed
• Prescribe treatment if appropriate

With a specialist

If you're seeing a private specialist, share both the written report and the images. Most private MRI services provide images in DICOM format or via a shareable link.

Keeping records

Store every MRI report you receive. Over time, a collection of reports becomes increasingly valuable — radiologists can compare current findings with previous scans to track changes and assess stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my MRI is normal but I still have symptoms?

A normal MRI rules out structural causes (tumours, tears, herniations, inflammation visible on imaging). But not all conditions show up on MRI — functional pain, early inflammatory disease, metabolic conditions, and nerve sensitisation may require different investigations. Discuss blood tests and specialist referral with your GP.

Can I get a second opinion on my MRI?

Yes. With Lola Health, you have access to your images, which can be sent to another radiologist for a second read. This is particularly worthwhile for complex, ambiguous, or unexpected findings. Second opinions sometimes change the interpretation.

How long should I keep my MRI report?

Permanently, if possible. MRI reports are part of your medical history. Future doctors and radiologists may want to compare new scans with previous ones — a report from 5 years ago showing a "stable" finding is far more reassuring than having no comparison at all.