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.
745 results found
Article
Transient hepatic attenuation differences
Transient hepatic attenuation differences (THAD) lesions refer to areas of parenchymal enhancement visible during the hepatic artery phase on helical CT. They are thought to be a physiological phenomenon caused by the dual hepatic blood supply. Occasionally, they may be associated with hepatic t...
Article
Craniovertebral junction anomalies
Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) anomalies can be congenital, developmental or due to malformation secondary to an acquired disease process. These anomalies can lead to cranial nerve compression, vertebral artery compression, and obstructive hydrocephalus.
Pathology
The craniovertebral junction ...
Article
Lobar consolidation
Lobar consolidation is the term used to describe consolidation in one of the lobes of the lung. It implies an alveolar spread of disease and is most commonly due to pneumonia.
Pathology
Consolidation refers to the alveolar airspaces being filled with fluid (exudate/transudate/blood), cells (in...
Article
Subarachnoid FLAIR hyperintensity
There are a wide range of causes for subarachnoid FLAIR hyperintensity, both pathological and artifactual.
Differential diagnosis
Pathological causes
subarachnoid hemorrhage
meningitis
leptomeningeal carcinomatosis
FLAIR vascular hyperintensities in acute stroke 1,4,8
moyamoya disease
m...
Article
Spiculated periosteal reaction
Spiculated periosteal reaction represents spicules of new bone-forming along vascular channels and the fibrous bands that anchor tendons to bone (Sharpey fibers).
Pathology
A spiculated periosteal reaction signifies a rapid underlying process that prevents the formation of new bone under the r...
Article
Hydroxyapatite deposition disease
Hydroxyapatite crystal deposition disease (HADD) or calcium apatite deposition disease (CADD) is a disease of uncertain etiology characterized by periarticular and intra-articular calcium deposits.
The shoulder is the most frequently involved site with classic calcific tendinitis presentation. ...
Article
Main differentials in musculoskeletal imaging
Here is a list of some of the most useful differential diagnoses in musculoskeletal imaging.
By process
lucent/lytic bone lesions (FEGNOMASHIC)
multiple lucent/lytic bone lesions
benign lytic bone lesions in patients under 30 years old
diffuse bony sclerosis
permeative process in bone
pse...
Article
Cyanotic congenital heart disease
A number of entities can present as cyanotic congenital heart disease. These can be divided into those with increased (pulmonary plethora) or decreased pulmonary vascularity:
increased pulmonary vascularity
total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) (types I and II)
transposition of the ...
Article
Basal ganglia T2 hyperintensity
The causes of basal ganglia T2 hyperintensity can be remembered using the mnemonic LINT:
lymphoma
ischemia
hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
venous infarction (internal cerebral vein thrombosis)
neurodegenerative
autoimmune encephalitis (e.g. anti-D2 dopamine receptor encephalitis, anti-CV2...
Article
Wackenheim line
The Wackenheim line, also known as the clivus canal line or basilar line, can be used to assess for atlanto-occipital dissociation.
Measurement
The Wackenheim line is the caudal extension of a line drawn along the posterior cortex of the clivus on lateral cervical spine radiographs 1.
Interpr...
Article
Cystic lung disease
Cystic lung disease is an umbrella term used to group the conditions coursing with multiple lung cysts.
Clinical presentation
The clinical presentation is an important clue to the differential diagnosis of cystic lung diseases 12.
Diseases that present with insidious dyspnea or spontaneous p...
Article
Mandibular lesions
Mandibular lesions are myriad and common. The presence of teeth results in lesions that are specific to the mandible (and maxilla) and a useful classification that defines them as odontogenic or non-odontogenic. While it may often not be possible to make a diagnosis on imaging alone, this classi...
Article
Prostatomegaly
Prostatomegaly is a term used to generally describe enlargement of the prostate gland from whatever cause. Usually, the prostate is considered enlarged on imaging when its volume measures beyond 30 cc (mL).
Terminology
The term prostatomegaly is often used interchangeably with benign prostati...
Article
Dysphagia
Dysphagia refers to subjective awareness of difficulty or obstruction during swallowing. It is a relatively common and increasingly prevalent clinical problem. Odynophagia is the term for painful swallowing.
Fluoroscopy is the mainstay of imaging assessment but manometry can help evaluate the e...
Article
Penile calcification
Penile calcifications are a relatively rare finding. The commonest cause is Peyronie disease.
Pathology
Etiology
Peyronie disease
penile calciphylaxis (considered by some to be a form of calcinosis cutis)
penile urethral calculus
calcinosis cutis of the penis
idiopathic calcinosis cutis o...
Article
Right middle lobe collapse
Right middle lobe collapse (or simply termed middle lobe collapse) has distinctive features, but can be subtle on frontal chest radiographs.
For a general discussion please refer to the article on lobar collapse.
It is important to note that of all the lobes, the right middle lobe is the mo...
Article
Splenic cyst
Splenic epithelial cysts, also known as splenic epidermoid cysts or primary splenic cysts, are unilocular fluid lesions with thin and smooth walls and no enhancement. They represent ~20% of cysts found in the spleen and are usually an innocuous incidental imaging finding.
Note that most (~80%) ...
Article
Ground-glass opacification
Ground-glass opacification/opacity (GGO) is a descriptive term referring to an area of increased attenuation in the lung on computed tomography (CT) with preserved bronchial and vascular markings. It is a non-specific sign with a wide etiology including infection, chronic interstitial disease an...
Article
Bronchial wall thickening
Bronchial wall thickening is an imaging descriptor used to describe abnormal thickening of bronchial walls and can arise from a vast number of pathological entities. It is one of the causes of peribronchial cuffing.
The presence of bronchial wall thickening usually (but not always) implies infl...
Article
Finger pathology
Finger pathology is wide and includes all lesions involving the tendons, ligaments, muscles, bone, and articulations of the hand and foot digits.
Congenital
brachydactyly - short digits
brachymetatarsia - short metatarsal
arachnodactyly - elongated, thin "spider-like" digits 1
polydactyly (...
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