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No definite mass is identified. However, for further evaluation of this patient given his symptoms, an MRI is recommended.

In the above sentence, does the "however" refer back to looking for a mass or forward to further evaluation of the patient's symptoms?

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I have no idea, because I don't know what is meant by "no definite mass is identified" - I suppose it is a medical term? – Cerberus Jan 3 '11 at 23:06
@Jasper: Ah, OK. I considered that idea but then rejected it for some reason. – Cerberus Jan 4 '11 at 2:30

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However actually links the two ideas no mass and further evaluation, in the sense that although there is no mass found it would still be best to do further evaluation to rule out any danger.

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+1 Definitely the way I read it, and my brother is doing a medical degree, so I am highly exposed to proof reading papers with such wording. The two sentences could be rearranged in to: "No definite mass was identified, however because of the patient's symptoms, an MRI is recommended." – Orbling Jan 4 '11 at 0:38

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