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.
36 results found
Article
Taphonomy
Taphonomy is the study of death, decay and fossilization. A subdiscipline of paleontology essentially examining the train of events and processes of fossilization. It includes the study of soft tissue decay/degradation, skeletal separation and chemical changes post burial.
Whilst encompassing ...
Article
Bridging vein thrombosis
Bridging vein thrombosis describes thrombosis of the fragile bridging veins that cross the subarachnoid and subdural spaces. The presence of bridging vein thrombosis on imaging has a strong association with non-accidental injury and can hint towards a traumatic etiology behind subdural hematoma ...
Article
International Classification of Diseases
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) or International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems constitutes a diagnostic classification standard and tool for all health disorders including epidemiological, clinical, research and health management issues. It...
Article
Rib fractures (NAI)
Rib fractures in non-accidental injury are a relatively common mode of presentation in inflicted non-accidental injury.
In the context of a child with normal bones, rib fractures are always concerning for non-accidental injury 1 and appropriate clinical assessment should be made. This will usua...
Article
Postmortem changes - musculoskeletal and soft tissue
Musculoskeletal and soft tissue postmortem changes refer to the expected appearances of the musculoskeletal system and soft tissues on postmortem imaging.
Radiographic features
CT
livor mortis can be seen in the dependent soft tissues 1
hypostasis of the dependent muscles
increased attenuat...
Article
Normal respiratory postmortem changes
Normal respiratory postmortem changes refers to the expected changes seen in the respiratory system and tract with postmortem imaging.
Radiographic features
CT
hypostasis occurs in the lung postmortem and is visible as a hyperdense gradient dependent with gravity which is bilateral and symmet...
Article
Labeled imaging anatomy cases
This article lists a series of labeled imaging anatomy cases by body region and modality.
Brain
CT head: non-contrast axial
CT head: non-contrast coronal
CT head: non-contrast sagittal
CT head: non-contrast axial with clinical questions
CT head: angiogram axial
CT head: angiogram coronal
...
Article
Decomposition
Decomposition of the human body occurs soon after death and is of relevance to radiology in the fields of postmortem and forensic radiology.
Pathology
Decomposition occurs due to two main processes 1,2:
autolysis: degradation by destructive enzymes released by dying cells in the body
putrefa...
Article
Normal postmortem changes in the central nervous system
Normal central nervous system postmortem changes refers to the expected changes seen in the central nervous system with postmortem imaging.
Radiographic features
CT
loss of grey-white matter differentiation 1,2
intracranial and intravascular gas (due to putrefaction) 1,2
hyperdensity of the...
Article
Postmortem changes - cardiovascular
Cardiovascular postmortem changes refer to the normal appearances of the cardiovascular system on postmortem imaging.
Radiographic features
CT
hyperdensity of the aortic wall 1,2
hypostasis of blood intravascularly 3
dilatation of the right atrium of the heart 1
dilatation of the superior...
Article
Hypostasis
Hypostasis (also called livor mortis) refers to the purplish discolouration of the superficial layers of dependent areas of the skin occurring soon after death. In reality the mechanisms causing hypostasis cause changes in every organ in the body.
Epidemiology
In one study imaging evidence of ...
Article
Hanging and strangulation (trauma)
Hanging and strangulation are injuries involving constricting pressure applied to the neck. The vast majority are sustained as a result of attempted suicide.
Epidemiology
In America, hangings are the second most common form of suicide after firearm use. In other parts of the world due to the r...
Article
Stab wound (overview)
Stab wounds are a form of penetrating trauma that may be self-inflicted or inflicted by another person either accidentally or intentionally. They may be caused by a variety of objects and may occur anywhere in the body.
Terminology
Although commonly caused by a knife as well, slash injuries di...
Article
Hypothermia-related death
Hypothermia-related death refers to the endpoint of behavioral and physiological changes caused by a reduction in body temperature.
Epidemiology
Hypothermia can affect anyone in extreme cold, but in the presence of helplessness promoting factors also occurs in temperate climates, indoors and i...
Article
Organophosphate poisoning (CNS manifestations)
Organophosphate poisoning is an important cause of acute neurological dysfunction and respiratory distress. This article is focused on CNS manifestations of organophosphate poisoning.
Epidemiology
Organophosphate poisoning is common, often as a result of suicidal ingestion (acute high-level ex...
Article
Cyanide poisoning
Cyanide poisoning is a cause of an acute anoxic-ischemic encephalopathy that also has eventual chronic sequelae.
Epidemiology
Acute cyanide poisoning is rare and often occurs after suicidal oral ingestion of cyanide-containing compounds, however there are other sources such as after smoke inh...
Article
Basilar fractures of the skull
Basilar fractures of the skull, also known as base of skull fractures, are a common form of skull fracture, particularly in the setting of severe traumatic head injury, and involve the base of the skull. They may occur in isolation or often in continuity with skull vault (calvarial) fractures or...
Article
Battle sign (base of skull fracture)
Battle sign is an eponymous term given to mastoid ecchymosis (bruising of the scalp overlying the mastoid process) and is strongly suggestive of a base of skull fracture, most commonly a petrous temporal bone fracture.
History and etymology
Mr William Henry Battle (1855-1936) was an English s...
Article
Drowning (postmortem findings)
Drowning is one of the most prevalent causes of non-natural death with typical postmortem imaging findings. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 360,000 annual deaths occur due to drowning.
This article concerns itself with postmortem appearances in fatalities from dro...
Article
Postmortem and forensic curriculum
The postmortem and forensic curriculum is one of our curriculum articles and aims to be a collection of topics that represent core knowledge pertaining to forensic and postmortem radiology.
Definitions
Postmortem radiology: the radiographic examination of the body after death.
Forensic radi...
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