Articles
Articles are a collaborative effort to provide a single canonical page on all topics relevant to the practice of radiology. As such, articles are written and continuously improved upon by countless contributing members. Our dedicated editors oversee each edit for accuracy and style. Find out more about articles.
22 results found
Article
Polyhydramnios
Polyhydramnios refers to a situation where the amniotic fluid volume is more than expected for gestational age.
It is generally defined as:
amniotic fluid index (AFI) >25 cm, though the cutoff in some centers is being reduced to 24 cm 14
largest fluid pocket depth (maximal vertical pocket) >8...
Article
Valsalva maneuver
The Valsalva maneuver is the forced expiration of air against a closed airway, resulting in increased intra-abdominal, intrathoracic, and pharyngeal pressure. It can be performed against a closed glottis or by one closing the mouth and pinching the nose while forcibly exhaling.
It is commonly u...
Article
Frontal bossing
Frontal bossing is a calvarial radiographic feature where the front of the skull appears protruding anteriorly. It is best appreciated on a sagittal or lateral image.
Pathology
This feature can be seen in many conditions (in alphabetical order):
18q syndrome
acromegaly
achondroplasia
ß-tha...
Article
Ovarian epithelial tumors
Ovarian epithelial tumors account for the majority of all ovarian tumors (60-70%) and their malignant forms represent >90% of ovarian cancers 1. They can range from benign to highly malignant tumors.
Epidemiology
There is a difference in the frequency of ovarian tumor subtypes depending on men...
Article
Syndactyly
Syndactyly (plural: syndactylies) refers to a congenital fusion of two or more digits. It may be confined to soft tissue (soft tissue syndactyly / simple syndactyly) or may involve bone (bony syndactyly / complex syndactyly).
Epidemiology
The overall estimated incidence is at ~1 per 2500 to 50...
Article
WHO classification of uterine tumors
The World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of the uterine corpus is a commonly used classification system for uterine tumors. It is part of the 5th edition WHO classification of female genital tumors, published in 2020 1.
Classification
Endometrial epithelial tumors and prec...
Article
Pyometrium
Pyometrium refers to infection of the endometrial cavity with resulting expansion due to accumulated pus (pyometra).
The postmenopausal demographic are most commonly affected due to the association with uterine malignancy.
Pathology
Etiology
endometritis / pelvic inflammatory disease
uterin...
Article
Uterine enlargement (differential)
Uterine enlargement can occur in a number of situations from both diffuse and focal processes. These include:
gestation related events
normal intrauterine pregnancy
molar pregnancy - gestational trophoblastic disease
postpartum uterus - still larger than usual
hormonal ...
Article
Cystic retroperitoneal lesions
Cystic retroperitoneal lesions carry a relatively broad differential, which includes:
retroperitoneal lymphatic malformation
retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma
retroperitoneal cystic teratoma
retroperitoenal cystic mesothelioma
pseudomyxoma retroperitonei with cystic change
perianal muci...
Article
Infertility in the exam
It is important to have a systematic way of approaching a case with subfertility in the exam.
Ultrasound is the initial examination of choice. Always say that you would further assess the uterus with 3D ultrasound. You may also say that in my department we would perform a sonohysterogram or HS...
Article
Endometrial microcalcifications
Endometrial microcalcifications can arise from a vast range pathologies but are usually of benign in etiology. They can also occur in the endocervical region (see - endocervical microcalcifications 1)
Epidemiology
They have an increased incidence with older age, postmenopausal state, atrophic ...
Article
Placentomegaly
Placentomegaly is a term applied to an abnormally-enlarged placenta.
Epidemiology
Associations
It can be associated with a number of maternal and fetal disorders which include:
maternal
maternal anemia(s)
maternal diabetes
chronic intrauterine infections
alpha-thalassemia
fetal
umbilic...
Article
Abnormally thickened endometrium (differential)
Abnormally thickened endometrium on imaging may occur for a number of reasons which may be categorized based on whether or not they are related to pregnancy. Etiologies may also be classified based on whether the patient is premenopausal or postmenopausal.
Differential diagnosis
Pregnancy-rela...
Article
Endometrial fluid
Fluid in the endometrial cavity can result from a number of causes if excessive and associated with distension.
Pathology
There are essentially three types of fluid:
hydrometra: simple fluid
hematometra: hemorrhagic content / clot
pyometra: pus
Premenopausal
normal (i.e. physiological)
...
Article
Uterine restricted diffusion
Uterine restricted diffusion refers to a hyperintense signal involving the endometrium, myometrium, or cervix on DWI images with a corresponding low signal on ADC images, with a mean cut-off ADC value for malignancy of 1.15 x 10-3 mm2/s 7.
Endometrial restricted diffusion
malignant endometrial...
Article
Differential diagnosis for PV bleeding (non-pregnant patients)
Per vaginal (PV) bleeding in a non-pregnant patient is a common clinical presentation with a multitude of causes.
The potential causes vary with the patient's menstrual status. A well-known mnemonic is found here.
Premenopausal
fibroids
cervical cancer
adenomyosis
endometriosis
polycystic...
Article
Per vaginal bleeding in the exam
It is important to have a systematic way of approaching a case with per vaginal (PV) bleeding in the exam.
Premenopausal
embedded IUCD
lost IUCD
submucosal fibroid
Pregnancy-related
perigestational hemorrhage
intrauterine fetal demise
ectopic pregnancy
ruptured ectopic
cervical ectopi...
Article
Right iliac fossa mass (differential)
Right iliac fossa mass is a common clinical presentation and has a range of differentials that need to be excluded. Radiology plays an important role in this differentiation.
Differential diagnosis
appendicular mass
appendicular abscess
appendicular mucocele
appendicular neoplasms
ileoceca...
Article
Pelvic masses in females
Pelvic masses in females carry a broad differential diagnosis:
benign adnexal cyst
leiomyoma
pelvic malignancy
dermoid
endometriosis
pelvic inflammatory disease
tubo-ovarian abscess
hydrosalpinx
pregnancy
Extragynaecological masses, e.g. colorectal carcinoma, appendicular abscess, lymp...
Article
Differential diagnosis of free fluid in cul de sac (pouch of Douglas)
The cul-de-sac, also known as the pouch of Douglas or rectouterine pouch, is an extension of the postero-inferior reflection of the peritoneal fold between the uterus (anteriorly) and rectum (posteriorly). It is the most inferior aspect of the peritoneal cavity and therefore the first location w...
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