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us Health & medical scares urgent imaging result • imaging result notification • abnormal scan alert • urgent radiology report • ct scan result urgent • mri result urgent message • ultrasound urgent finding • x-ray urgent results • patient portal alert • voicemail about results • confused by report wording • unexpected test result • worried about scan results • what does urgent mean • could this be a scam call • missed call radiology • waiting for results anxiety • urgent follow up needed

What to do if…
you receive a message that an imaging result is urgent and you are not sure what it means

Short answer

Confirm the message is legitimate, then contact the clinician who ordered the scan (or the facility’s results line) today and ask what the finding is, what you must do next, and how quickly. If you have severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, go to the ER or call 911.

Do not do these things

  • Do not assume “urgent” equals a specific diagnosis based on the wording alone.
  • Do not ignore it because you feel okay — some urgent findings need action even without symptoms.
  • Do not click portal-lookalike links or call back unknown numbers until you verify them via the provider’s official website/app.
  • Do not use internet searches of report terms to decide whether to go to the ER.
  • Do not call multiple departments just to reduce anxiety. If you develop emergency symptoms or feel rapidly worse, choose 911/ER.

What to do now

  1. Check for emergency symptoms (right now).
    If you have severe chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of stroke (face droop/arm weakness/speech trouble), fainting, uncontrolled bleeding, or a sudden “worst headache”: call 911 or go to the Emergency Room.

  2. Pause and verify the message before you share details.
    Save the message/voicemail. If it’s an email/text, don’t tap links. Instead, open your patient portal or app the usual way (bookmark/app icon) and see whether there’s a message or result there.

  3. Call the right place: start with the ordering clinician’s office.
    Use the number from their official website, your after-visit summary, or a known clinic line — not the number in a suspicious message. Say:

    • “I got a notification that my imaging result is urgent.”
    • “Can someone review the report with me in plain language?”
    • “What is the next step, and what is the time window (today / within 24–48 hours / this week)?”
    • “What symptoms would mean I should go to the ER or call 911?”

  4. If the ordering office can’t be reached, call the imaging facility’s patient/results line.
    Ask:

    • Whether the report is finalized, and who it was sent to (name of ordering clinician).
    • How patients can obtain the written report and images (portal, Medical Records/Health Information Management, CD/USB, secure download).
    • Whether there is an on-call process so urgent findings reach a clinician.

  5. Request the report and images through a formal access route if needed.
    Under HIPAA (with limited exceptions), you have a legal right to see and receive copies of health information in your medical/health records, which can include imaging reports and images when maintained in the designated record set. If you can’t see results in the portal, ask Medical Records/HIM exactly how to submit an access request and what formats they can provide.

  6. Make sure they can reach you today.
    Confirm your callback number, check voicemail isn’t full, and ask: “If you can’t reach me, what happens next and who should I call?”

  7. Write down the plan in one line.
    Record: (a) the finding in plain words, (b) the required next action (repeat scan, labs, ER evaluation, specialist referral), (c) the deadline, (d) who is arranging it, (e) the direct callback number/extension.

What can wait

  • You do not need to interpret radiology terminology tonight.
  • You do not need to decide on procedures or treatment until a clinician reviews the finding with you.
  • You do not need to “prepare for the worst” by searching stories online — first get the concrete next step and timeline.
  • You do not need to contact multiple specialists until the ordering clinician tells you who is appropriate.

Important reassurance

“Urgent” usually means “a clinician needs to review and act promptly,” not “you are in immediate danger right now,” and it doesn’t tell you the cause by itself. It’s common to feel your mind race after an alert like that — the stabilizing move is to connect with the ordering clinician/facility, get a clear timeframe, and make sure you’re reachable.

Scope note

This is first-steps guidance for the first hours after an “urgent imaging result” notification. After you have clarification, follow-up may involve appointments, repeat imaging, or referrals; those next decisions can be made step-by-step with your care team.

Important note

This is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. If you feel seriously unwell or symptoms are escalating, seek urgent/emergency care (911/ER) regardless of what the message says.

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