Letter M
MINOR SALIVARY GLAND MALIGNANCY
A rare, aggressive, and malignant tumor arising from the minor salivary glands. Treatment usually requires surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation.
MIXED DENSITY
A term mostly used in CT scans. It is used when there is bright and dark spots on the CT scan.
MIXED SIGNAL
A term used on MR scans. It is used when there are bright and dark spots on the MR image.
MODIC
Refers to a spectrum or degree of change in the vertebra related to arthritis. Often there are 3 types of Modic changes. Type 1 is early arthritis, type 2 is a later stage of arthritis changes, and type 3 is advanced or late stage arthritis changes.
MONDOR’S DISEASE
A condition where a vein near the skin (of the breast) clots off. There is associated inflammatory change. Sometimes, the patient can feel a hard yarn-like structure in the skin.
MORPHOLOGY
The appearance of a finding.
MOTION ARTIFACT
A term used to describe a blurring of the images as a result of movement during the scan. Can occur with xray, CT, MRI, and nuclear medicine scans.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
A study using magnetic fields to look inside the breast. This is done with intravenous contrast when looking for breast cancer. This is done without intravenous contrast when evaluating silicone breast implants for rupture.
MUCOCELE
A mucous filled structure in the sinuses of the face. Usually results from a blockage. They can expand and cause symptoms of infection. They occur most commonly in adults. Usually surgery is needed to remove them.
MULTILEVEL
Refers to multiple levels in the spinal cord. For example, if you radiology report says “multilevel spondylosis” it refers to arthritis at multiple spinal levels.
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