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.
700 results found
Article
Pulmonary fat embolism
Pulmonary fat embolism is a specific subtype of pulmonary embolism where the embolic particles are composed of fat.
Pathology
It usually occurs in the context of a long bone fracture and may occur in 1-3% of patients with simple tibial or femoral fractures and up to 20-33% of individuals with ...
Article
Buckle rib fracture
Buckle rib fractures are incomplete fractures involving only the inner cortex. They typically occur due to an anterior compressive force to the chest, most commonly during external cardiac massage, but can be seen following any such traumatic injury.
Pathology
Buckle rib fractures occur in all...
Article
Splenic pseudocyst
Splenic pseudocysts, also known as secondary splenic cysts, are acquired cystic lesions not delineated by a true epithelial wall. They represent the majority of the splenic cystic lesions, corresponding to approximately 80% of them (cf. splenic epithelial cysts). The main causes are:
splenic t...
Article
Urethral stricture
Urethral strictures are relatively common and typically occur either in the setting of trauma or infection.
Epidemiology
The demographics of the affected population is dictated by the etiology, but in general, it is safe to say that adult males make up the vast majority of cases.
Clinical pre...
Article
Jefferson fracture
Jefferson fracture is the eponymous name given to a burst fracture of the atlas. It was originally described as a four-part fracture with double fractures through the anterior and posterior arches, but three-part and two-part fractures have also been described.
Epidemiology
Associations
50% a...
Article
Cerebral ring enhancing lesions (mnemonic)
Convenient mnemonics for the causes of cerebral ring enhancing lesions are:
MAGIC DR or DR MAGIC
DR MAGIC L
MAGICAL DR
Mnemonics
MAGIC DR or DR MAGIC
M: metastasis
A: abscess
G: glioblastoma
I: infarct (subacute phase) or inflammatory (neurocysticercosis, tuberculoma)
C: contusion
D: ...
Article
Radial head dislocation
Radial head dislocation occurs when the radial head is displaced from its normal articulation with the ulna and the humerus.
The dislocation may be acquired or congenital (see the separate article on congenital radial head dislocation). Additionally, radial head dislocation should be distinguis...
Article
Sail sign (elbow)
The sail sign on an elbow radiograph, also known as the anterior fat pad sign, describes the elevation of the anterior fat pad to create a silhouette similar to a billowing spinnaker sail from a boat. It indicates the presence of an elbow joint effusion.
The anterior fat pad is usually conceale...
Article
Morel-Lavallée lesion
Morel-Lavallée lesions are closed degloving injuries associated with severe trauma which then present as hemolymphatic collections or masses. MRI and ultrasound are useful modalities for evaluation.
Terminology
The lesions classically occur over the greater trochanter of the femur 1. Morel-Lav...
Article
Joint effusion
A joint effusion is defined as an increased amount of fluid within the synovial compartment of a joint.
There is normally only a small amount of physiological intra-articular fluid. Abnormal fluid accumulation can result from inflammation, infection (i.e. pus) or trauma and might be exudate, tr...
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
CT hand and wrist (protocol)
The CT hand and wrist protocol serves as an examination for the bony assessment of the wrist and is often performed as a non-contrast study and less often as a contrast-enhanced study. A CT wrist can be also conducted as a CT arthrogram for the evaluation of ligamentous injuries and the triangul...
Article
Clival fracture
Clival fractures are uncommon skull base fractures resulting from high-energy cranial trauma and are usually associated with other skull vault fractures and brain injuries.
For a general discussion, please refer to the article on basilar fractures of the skull.
Epidemiology
Most fractures of ...
Article
Describing a fracture (an approach)
Describing a fracture is a basic requirement when making an assessment of a plain radiograph. There are many ways to approach the assessment of the radiograph; this is just one approach.
1. Projections and clinical history
What radiograph (or radiographs) are you looking at? Check the who, wha...
Article
Adrenal gland trauma
Adrenal gland trauma most commonly results from blunt force trauma.
Epidemiology
Adrenal gland trauma is present on 1-2% of CT imaging in blunt trauma although the occurrence is thought to be much higher as injury has been demonstrated at 28% in one autopsy series 1-4.
The right adrenal glan...
Article
Shoulder dislocation
The shoulder dislocation (more accurately termed a glenohumeral joint dislocation) involves separation of the humerus from the glenoid of the scapula at the glenohumeral joint.
This article contains a general discussion on shoulder dislocation. For specific dislocation types please refer to the...
Article
Blunt cardiac injury
Blunt cardiac injury (BCI) is most commonly the result of sudden deceleration or direct precordial impact and encompasses a spectrum of structural and functional cardiac derangements that may occur after trauma to the heart 7.
Terminology
While sometimes referred to with general terms such as ...
Article
Galeazzi and Monteggia fracture-dislocations (mnemonic)
There are several mnemonics for the difference between a Galeazzi and a Monteggia fracture-dislocation:
GRIMUS
MUGR (pronounced as mugger)
FROG
GRUesome MURder
Manchester United / Glasgow Rangers
Monteggia is mountainous
It is useful to note that it is the head of the non-fractured bone t...
Article
Macklin effect
The Macklin effect refers to pneumomediastinum caused by alveolar rupture and pulmonary interstitial emphysema tracking to the mediastinum along the peribronchovascular interstitium. This is typically seen in blunt chest trauma or asthma.
Pathology
A sudden rise in intra-alveolar pressure can ...
Article
Caroticocavernous fistula
Caroticocavernous fistulas represent abnormal communication between the carotid circulation and the cavernous sinus. They can be classified as direct or indirect which are separate conditions with different etiologies.
Epidemiology
Direct caroticocavernous fistulas are often secondary to tra...
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