SCHEDULED DOWNTIME: We will be performing a database migration that will result in the site being unavailable for approximately 1 hour starting at UTC: Monday, 20 May 2024 11:00 PM (check your local time here

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.

742 results found
Article

Cortical bone

The outer shell of compact bone is called cortical bone or cortex. It is formed by compact bone which is one of the two macroscopic forms of bone, the other being cancellous bone.  Gross anatomy Cortical bone contains Haversian systems (osteons) which contain a central Haversian canal surround...
Article

Intramedullary spinal tumors

Intramedullary spinal tumors are rare, representing 4-10% of all CNS tumors and <10% of all pediatric CNS neoplasms 5. They account for 20% of all intraspinal tumors in adults and 35% of all intraspinal tumors in children 8. A long duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis is typical. Pathology ...
Article

McRae line

McRae line is a radiographic line drawn on a lateral skull radiograph or on a midsagittal section of CT or MRI that connects the anterior and posterior margins of the foramen magnum (basion to opisthion). Significance indicates the presence of basilar invagination (atlantoaxial impaction): the...
Article

Cervical spine (AP oblique view)

The AP oblique cervical spine projections are supplementary views to the standard AP, odontoid and lateral images in the cervical spine series and are always done bilaterally for comparison purposes. However, the PA oblique projection is preferred as it reduces radiation dose to the thyroid 1 co...
Article

Arterial vasocorona

The arterial vasocorona is part of the spinal cord blood supply and is formed by pial anastomoses between the anterior and posterior spinal arteries on the surface of the spinal cord. It encircles the cord and supplies the peripheral lateral aspect of the spinal cord.  Engorgement of arterial v...
Article

Burst fracture

Burst fractures are a type of compression fracture related to high-energy axial loading spinal trauma that results in disruption of a vertebral body endplate and the posterior vertebral body cortex. Retropulsion of posterior cortex fragments into the spinal canal is frequently included in the de...
Article

Myelitis

Myelitis is a collective term simply referring to any inflammation of the spinal cord. It is a form of myelopathy. The two major sub types include: leukomyelitis multiple sclerosis ADEM transverse myelitis ideopathic transverse myelitis secondary transverse myelitis: viral, neurosyphilis ...
Article

Osteophyte

Osteophytes are cartilage-capped bony proliferations (bony spurs) that most commonly develop at the margins of a synovial joint as a response to articular cartilage damage, as seen very commonly in degenerative joint disease. Central osteophytes can develop from cartilage lesions within a joint....
Article

ASAS classification criteria - active sacroiliitis on MRI

The Assessment in SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) classification criteria, published in 2009 1 with the revised 2016 consensus definition of a positive MRI (i.e. active sacroiliitis) still in use in 2019 6, utilizes imaging features of the sacroiliac joints on x-ray and MRI as one...
Article

Sacroiliac joint (AP sacrum view)

The AP sacrum projection is part of the sacroiliac series that includes an oblique projection (PA/AP) of the joint on both sides. Although usually taken as an AP projection it can also be taken PA with a reverse caudal central ray angulation of 30° to 35° when patients cannot assume supine posit...
Article

Vertebral anomalies

The vertebral column is affected by a range of anatomical variants of the body and/or neural arch as well as accessory ossicles. Knowledge of basic vertebral anatomy and ossification is essential for describing and understanding the range of anomalies. Variant anatomy Vertebral body hemiverte...
Article

Toothpaste sign

The toothpaste sign in spinal imaging represents an extrusion of an intervertebral disc into the epidural space. It is called after the shape of extruded material relatively to the parent disc in a sagittal plane.
Article

Leptomeningeal drop metastases

Leptomeningeal drop metastases correspond to a CNS primary neoplasm spread inferiorly along the cerebrospinal subarachnoid spaces. It is usually presented as diffuse enhancing nodules along the spinal cord and cauda equina.  Please refer on leptomeningeal metastases to a broad discussion on thi...
Article

Epidural blood patch

Epidural blood patches are a treatment option for patients with craniospinal hypotension or post-dural puncture headaches in which small volumes of autologous blood are injected into a patient's epidural space to stop cerebrospinal fluid leak. The procedure can be done blind or under imaging (fl...
Article

Atlanto-axial articulation

The atlanto-axial articulation is a complex of three synovial joints, which join the atlas (C1) to the axis (C2). Gross anatomy Articulations paired lateral atlanto-axial joints: classified as planar-type synovial joint between the lateral masses of C1 and C2, though somewhat more complex in ...
Article

Calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscle

Calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscles is an inflammatory/granulomatous response to the deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals in the tendons of the longus colli muscle. It is sometimes more generically known as calcific prevertebral tendinitis or, less accurately, as retropharyn...
Article

Cone artery

The cone artery, also known as the artery of Desproges-Gotteron, is a rare anatomical variant which commonly arises from the internal iliac artery. Gross anatomy Origin The cone artery has a variable origin and may arise from the internal iliac artery or its branches, commonly the iliolumbar ...
Article

Sacroiliac joint (PA oblique view)

The posteroanterior (PA) oblique sacroiliac joint view demonstrates the sacroiliac joints (SIJs) in an open profile. It is commonly used in conjunction with the sacroiliac AP view.  Indications This projection examines both left and right sacroiliac joints for comparison purposes in the evalua...
Article

Opticospinal multiple sclerosis

Opticospinal multiple sclerosis (OSMS) is a demyelinating disease and has been considered a variant of multiple sclerosis (MS) encountered in Asian populations, who are generally rarely affected by normal multiple sclerosis. It has similar clinical and imaging features to neuromyelitis optica (N...
Article

White cord syndrome

White cord syndrome refers to the sudden onset of neurological deterioration following spinal decompressive surgery. The condition is believed to be a form of reperfusion injury of the spinal cord, not to be confused with central cord syndrome. Epidemiology White cord syndrome is rare with onl...

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.