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.
537 results found
Article
Chest x-ray: ET tube position (summary)
This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
Chest x-ray ET (endotracheal) tube position should be assessed following initial placement and on subsequent radiographs.
Reference article
This is a summary article; we have a more in-depth reference article, see ETT.
S...
Article
Central sacral vertical line
The central sacral vertical line (CSVL) is used in the assessment of spinal scoliosis.
It is a line constructed on frontal films of the spine and pelvis to measure coronal balance, drawn as follows:
a line connecting the top of the iliac crests is drawn
a second line is drawn perpendicular t...
Article
Ottawa ankle rules
The Ottawa ankle rules are a clinical decision-making strategy for determining which patients require radiographic imaging for ankle and midfoot injuries. Proper application has high (97.5%) sensitivity and reduces the need for radiographs by ~35% 1,2,4.
There are two components, assessing for...
Article
Small pulmonary nodules (HRCT chest approach)
Small pulmonary lung nodules refer to an HRCT chest imaging descriptor for 5-10 mm lung nodules and are divided into three main categories based on their distribution pattern:
centrilobular
perilymphatic
random
Terminology
Radiologists often informally refer to indeterminate small pulmonary...
Article
Ventral cord syndrome
Ventral cord syndrome (also known as anterior cord syndrome) is one of the incomplete cord syndromes and affects the anterior parts of the cord resulting in a pattern of neurological dysfunction dominated by motor paralysis and loss of pain, temperature and autonomic function. Anterior spinal ar...
Article
Cerebral edema (summary)
This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
Cerebral edema describes the collection of additional fluid within the white matter of the brain. It is the brain's response to an insult and may take one of two broad forms: vasogenic (white matter) and cytotoxic (grey and...
Article
Transverse view of abdomen
A transverse abdominal view is one of the standard views on fetal echocardiography and is very useful for assessing situs abnormalities. In case of situs solitus (normal situs), the stomach is on the left and liver on the right. The descending aorta lies anterior and to the left of the spine whi...
Article
Cardiac silhouette
Cardiac silhouette refers to the outline of the heart as seen on frontal and lateral chest radiographs and forms part of the cardiomediastinal contour. The size and shape of the cardiac silhouette provide useful clues for underlying disease.
Radiographic features
From the frontal projection, t...
Article
Traumatic aortic injury in the exam
Getting a film with traumatic aortic injury in the exam is one of the many exam set-pieces that can be prepared for.
This is one of the cases you should look and not speak for 10 seconds as there tends to be a lot of findings on the film of patients with a traumatic aortic injury.
Description...
Article
Isikoff's View
The Isikoff's view is a sonographic view which demonstrates the origins of the right and left renal arteries. It is taken in the longitudinal plane with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position 1.
Article
Triangle of safety
The triangle of safety is an anatomical region in the axilla that forms a guide as to the safe position for intercostal catheter (ICC) placement. With the arm abducted, the apex is the axilla, and the triangle is formed by the:
lateral border of the pectoralis major anteriorly
lateral border o...
Article
Chest x-ray - an approach (summary)
This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
Chest x-ray review is a key competency for medical students, junior doctors and other allied health professionals. Chest radiographs are frequently performed and a fantastic tool for making diagnoses of acute and chronic co...
Article
Wrist radiograph (summary approach)
This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
Wrist radiographs are commonly used for the assessment of the wrist following trauma.
Summary approach
alignment
AP
distal radius and ulna have smooth joint surface
carpal arcs are smooth
carpal bones do not overlap
...
Article
Elbow radiograph (summary approach)
This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
Elbow radiographs are common plain films that are obtained frequently in the emergency department.
Summary approach
alignment
anterior humeral line
drawn down the anterior surface of the humerus
should intersect the mi...
Article
Shoulder radiograph (summary approach)
This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
Shoulder radiographs are commonly performed for shoulder injury assessment and followup. Using a standard system to approach the x-ray means it is much more likely you will find the abnormality.
Summary approach
alignment...
Article
Densitometric vertebral fracture assessment
Densitometric vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) is an image of the lumbar and thoracic spine acquired on dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanners, for the purpose of diagnosing osteoporotic vertebral fractures.
Terminology
The technique is available on DXA scanners under a variety of...
Article
Interseptal distance
The interseptal distance (ISD) is a measurement used to assess septal area atrophy as a marker for neurodegenerative conditions in patients with memory problems 1.
It is proposed that atrophy of the septal nuclei can commonly be seen in conditions associated with hippocampal atrophy, particular...
Article
Hemorrhage exclusion sign (prostate)
The hemorrhage exclusion sign can be a useful MRI finding following prostate biopsy.
Pathology
The normal prostate produces high concentrations of citrate, which among other properties, acts as an anticoagulant 1. As tumor cells are dysfunctional, they will produce lower levels of citrate than...
Article
Hematuria (pediatric)
Hematuria in a child is evaluated differently than in an adult in two main respects:
there is a lower likelihood of a malignancy (renal or bladder) causing the hematuria
preference is given to nonionizing radiation
Pathology
Hematuria can be considered in three main forms:
"gross" hematuria...
Article
Determination of atrial situs
Atrial situs refers to the relative position of the cardiac atria in relation to abdominal viscera and the midline.
Pathology
Identification of atrial situs is an important initial step in the antenatal and postnatal diagnosis of cardiac structural and situs anomalies.
Radiographic features
...