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.
64 results found
Article
Owl-eyes sign (spinal cord)
The owl-eyes sign, also known as snake-eyes sign or fried-eggs sign, represents bilaterally symmetric circular to ovoid foci of high T2-weighted signals in the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord and is seen on axial MR imaging. The sagittal corollary is a "pencil-like" vertical linear high T...
Article
Shiny corner sign (ankylosing spondylitis)
The shiny corner sign is a spinal finding in ankylosing spondylitis, representing reactive sclerosis secondary to inflammatory erosions at the superior and inferior endplates (corners on lateral radiograph) of the vertebral bodies, which are known as Romanus lesions. Eventually, the vertebral bo...
Article
Romanus lesion (vertebral bodies)
The Romanus lesion represents an early finding in inflammatory spondyloarthropathies, such as ankylosing spondylitis and enteropathic arthritis, and appears as irregularity and erosion involving the anterior and posterior edges of the vertebral endplates 1. Healing response to these inflammatory...
Article
Inverted Napoleon hat sign
The inverted Napoleon hat sign is a radiologic sign seen on the frontal pelvic or lumbar radiograph at the level of the 5th lumbar vertebra and the sacrum.
It is seen when there is bilateral spondylolysis with marked anterolisthesis of L5 on S1 or marked exaggeration of the normal lordosis at t...
Article
Butterfly vertebra
Butterfly vertebra, also sometimes known as a sagittal cleft vertebra or anterior rachischisis, is a type of vertebral anomaly that results from the failure of fusion of the lateral halves of the vertebral body because of persistent notochordal tissue between them.
Pathology
Butterfly vertebra...
Article
C1-C2 false localizing sign (spine)
C1-C2 false localizing sign, sometimes referred to merely as C1-C2 sign, is seen on spinal imaging and can lead to the mislocalization of a CSF leak in individuals with intracranial hypotension.
There are numerous reports of fluid at this location that have been interpreted as the actual site ...
Article
Scalpel sign (spinal cord)
The scalpel sign is described in dorsal thoracic arachnoid web on sagittal MRI spine studies. It relates to focal distortion of the thoracic cord, appearing anteriorly displaced. The enlarged dorsal CSF space mimics the profile of a surgical scalpel.
It is helpful in distinguishing cases where ...
Article
Festooned dura (CSF leak)
The festooned appearance of the spinal dural sac has been described in cases of CSF leak resulting in the combination of epidural fluid and craniospinal hypotension/hypovolemia. The theca collapses down upon the cord but is kept attached at multiple points by the epidural ligaments 1.
Article
Pine cone bladder
A pine cone bladder or Christmas tree bladder is a cystographic appearance in which the bladder is elongated and pointed with a thickened, trabeculated wall. It is typically seen in severe neurogenic bladder with increased sphincter tone (detrusor sphincter dyssynergia) due to suprasacral lesion...
Article
Inverted "V" sign (spinal cord)
The inverted "V" sign, also known as the inverted rabbit ears sign, is a radiological sign described in subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
It refers to the appearance of the spinal cord on axial MRI slices 1-3. On these slices in a patient with subacute combined degeneration of...
Article
V sign (disambiguation)
Signs inspired by the letter V have been described in several different pathologies:
inverted V sign (pneumoperitoneum)
inverted V sign (spinal cord)
Naclerio V sign (pneumomediastinum)
V sign (interphalangeal joint subluxation)
V sign (midbrain)
Article
Bagel sign (Behçet disease)
The bagel sign is a radiological sign appreciated on MRI spine that is described in patients with neuro-Behçet disease-associated myelitis.
The sign describes the involvement of the spinal cord as seen on axial T2 sequences in patients with myelitis, whereby there is a round hyperintense lesion...
Article
Trident sign (neurosarcoidosis)
The trident sign is a radiological (MRI) sign described in spinal cord neurosarcoidosis.
The sign is formed by the axial appearance of a longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis due to spinal cord neurosarcoidosis, whereby on a T1 post-contrast (gadolinium) MRI sequence, there is central ca...
Article
Vertebra plana
Vertebra plana (plural: vertebrae planae), also known as the pancake, silver dollar or coin-on-edge vertebra, is the term given when a vertebral body has lost almost its entire height anteriorly and posteriorly, representing a very advanced compression fracture.
Pathology
It can occur in a var...
Article
Imaging psoas sign (spondylodiscitis)
The imaging psoas sign is an MRI finding specific for spondylodiscitis and is seen as T2 hyperintensity in the psoas major muscle. The sign has a high sensitivity (92%) and specificity (92%) for spondylodiscitis and in the clinical context of a suspected infective process of the spine supports c...
Article
Baastrup disease
Baastrup disease or syndrome (also referred to as kissing spines) is a cause of low back pain characterized by interspinous bursitis and other degenerative changes of the bones and soft tissues where adjacent spinous processes in the lumbar spine rub against each other.
Epidemiology
It tends t...
Article
Sandwich vertebral body
Sandwich vertebral body is a radiologic appearance in which the endplates are densely sclerotic, giving the appearance of a sandwich. This term and pattern are distinctive for benign adult autosomal dominant osteopetrosis.
Differential diagnosis
rugger jersey spine: sandwich vertebrae appears ...
Article
Rugger jersey spine (hyperparathyroidism)
Rugger jersey spine describes the prominent endplate densities at multiple contiguous vertebral levels to produce an alternating sclerotic-lucent-sclerotic appearance. This mimics the horizontal stripes of a rugby jersey.
This term and pattern are distinctive for hyperparathyroidism 1. However ...
Article
Dagger sign (spine)
The dagger sign is a radiographic feature seen in ankylosing spondylitis as a single central radiodense line on frontal radiographs related to ossification of the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments secondary to enthesitis 1. It is possible for the radiodense line to extend into the sacrum 2...
Article
Bow tie sign
The bow tie sign refers to the appearance of rotated facets in unilateral facet joint dislocation. Facet joint displacement coupled with a rotational deformity gives a bow-tie like appearance on a lateral view radiograph of spine 1.
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