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
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
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
Ethylene glycol toxicity
Ethylene glycol toxicity is a type of toxic leukoencephalopathy. Ethylene glycol, best known as a component of antifreeze, has been ingested both deliberately and accidentally, resulting in neurotoxicity and renal failure.
Epidemiology
Ethylene glycol is found in many compounds including antif...
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
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
Solvent abuse
Solvent abuse (toluene being the major component) is remarkably common, especially in young people with psychosocial stressors, and with chronic use can lead to numerous ill-effects, particularly affecting the central nervous system.
Epidemiology
Solvent abuse is geographically widespread, an...
Article
Fracture-a-la-signature (skull fracture)
Fracture-a-la-signature (or signature fracture) is another term used to described a depressed skull fracture.
Fracture-a-la-signature derives its name from forensic medicine because the size and shape of a depressed skull fracture may give information on the type of weapon used. It can be a si...
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
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 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 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...
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
Anatomy curriculum
The anatomy curriculum is one of our curriculum articles and aims to be a collection of articles that represent the core anatomy knowledge for radiologists and imaging specialists.
General anatomy
Neuroanatomy
Head and neck anatomy
Thoracic anatomy
Abdominal and pelvic anatomy
Spinal anat...
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
Trauma films (summary approach)
This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
Trauma films are ubiquitous in an orthopedic attachment and also in the Emergency Department.
In most cases, a trauma film will come with two views. It is important that you review both films because in some cases a fractu...
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