Nondiagnostic

Nondiagnostic refers to a result or finding that is insufficient to establish a diagnosis or to exclude disease. It indicates that the information obtained from a test, study, or specimen cannot be interpreted reliably for the target condition, often due to limitations such as inadequate sampling, technical issues, or ambiguous results. A nondiagnostic result is not the same as a negative result; it does not rule out disease and may require further evaluation.

In medical imaging, a nondiagnostic study means that the image quality or contents do not allow for a confident interpretation. Causes include motion artifact, limited field of view, poor contrast, or complex anatomy. Management typically involves repeating the study, choosing an alternative modality, or obtaining additional imaging to obtain sufficient information.

In pathology and cytology, a nondiagnostic (or nondiagnostic/insufficient) specimen occurs when cellular material is scant or nonrepresentative, preventing a reliable diagnosis. This can happen with fine-needle aspiration, biopsies, or cytology preparations. A repeat procedure or additional tissue sampling may be necessary.

In laboratory testing, a nondiagnostic or indeterminate result may arise when the assay cannot yield a definitive interpretation due to interference, early disease stage, or preanalytic issues. Clinicians may order repeat testing, use a different assay, or integrate clinical findings to guide management.

Overall, nondiagnostic results emphasize the need for further investigation rather than a definitive clinical conclusion.