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 edited by countless contributing members over a period of time. A global group of dedicated editors oversee accuracy, consulting with expert advisers, and constantly reviewing additions.
1,428 results found
Article
Gastro-esophageal reflux grading
Gastro-oesophagal reflux grading is based on the vertical height that contrast-media reaches during fluoroscopy 1:
grade I: reflux in the distal esophagus
grade II: reflux up to or just above the carina
grade III: reflux into cervical esophagus
grade IV: reflux in the cervical esophagus with...
Article
Gastrosplenic fistula
A gastrosplenic fistula is a very rare type of gut fistulation that can occur as a complication with either a gastric or splenic lesion.
Pathology
Etiology
Recognized causes include
lymphoma (considered commonest cause)
most commonly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
usually in context...
Article
Anal columns
The anal columns, also known as columns of Morgagni are a number of longitudinal folds of the anal mucosa.
The columns unite inferiorly to form crescentic shaped anal valves. Shallow clefts of mucosa are formed in between the columns and valves, termed the anal sinuses. The anal valves form a c...
Article
Pancreatoduodenal space
The pancreaticoduodenal space (PDS) or groove (PDG) is a small anatomical potential space between the pancreatic head and duodenum 1.
Gross anatomy
Boundaries
medial: pancreatic head
lateral: 2nd portion of duodenum
superior: duodenal bulb
inferior 3rd portion of duodenum
posterior: infer...
Article
APUD cells
APUD (Amine Precursor Uptake and Decarboxylation) cells include a wide range of endocrine cell types scattered throughout the body, such as the respiratory system, gastroenteropancreatic system, reproductive system, thyroid gland, pancreatic islets, adrenal medulla, carotid body, kidney, pituita...
Article
Perianal genital warts
Perianal genital warts, also known as condyloma acuminata (singular: condyloma acuminatum), are a complication of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. They are diagnosed clinically and are usually painless and benign, but can rarely undergo malignant transformation into squamous cell carcinoma....
Article
Eckhardt score
The Eckhardt score is a clinical scoring system commonly used to characterize the severity of achalasia.
It is a 12-point score which is as follows:
recent weight loss (kg)
none = 0
<5 kg = 1
5-10 kg = 2
>10 kg = 3
dysphagia
none = 0
occasional = 1
daily = 2
each meal = 3
retrosterna...
Article
Tertiary esophageal contractions
Tertiary esophageal contractions are a type of contractions of the esophagus often described as as the irregular contraction or indentations of the distal esophageal wall. Isolated tertiary esophageal waves of the non-repetitive type are thought to occur in normal subjects. Swallowing induced re...
Article
Disseminated histoplasmosis
Disseminated histoplasmosis, also known as progressive disseminated histoplasmosis, is a severe form of histoplasmosis infection typically seen in immunosuppressed patients, especially in the setting of HIV infection. It results from hematogenous dissemination of the infection, involving multipl...
Article
Esophageal MRI
Esophageal MRI, or gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) MRI, is a targeted mediastinal imaging protocol performed to stage and aid treatment decisions in esophageal and GEJ carcinoma. It is not yet included in major treatment guidelines, but recent literature have pointed promising accuracy compared...
Article
Median arcuate ligament
The median arcuate ligament is a fibrous arch connecting the left and right diaphragmatic crura at the aortic hiatus 1,2.
A low-lying median arcuate ligament can compress the celiac axis to cause celiac artery compression syndrome which is also known as median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) 2.
Article
Pseudosacculation
Pseudosacculations (also known as pseudodiverticulae) are outpouchings of normal bowel wall along the antimesenteric border. Inflammation and fibrosis along the mesenteric border of the bowel loop causes asymmetric shortening of the mesenteric wall, and subsequent pseudosacculations of the norma...
Article
Cholecystocutaneous fistula
Cholecystocutaneous fistulas are abnormal fistulous connection between the gallbladder and the skin. It is a rare form of gastrointestinal fistulation and may result from a complication of cholecystitis, gallbladder carcinoma, or percutaneous procedures 1,2.
Epidemiology
The peak incidence is ...
Article
Omphalomesenteric duct
The omphalomesenteric duct, also called the vitelline or vitellointestinal duct, is a communicating tract between the embryonic yolk sac and the primitive midgut.
This duct is obliterated at around the 5th to 8th week of gestation. Approximately 2% of people have a failure of involution.
Relat...
Article
Component separation index
The component separation index is a value used to quantify the degree of diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles in the context of anterior abdominal wall hernias.
Usage
The mode of repair of midline abdominal wall hernias (often incisional hernias through laparotomy wounds) depends on the d...
Article
Paris Classification of inflammatory bowel disease
The Paris Classification of inflammatory bowel disease is used to classify the severity of ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease in the pediatric population. Primary differences between the adult and pediatric phenotype include the location, behavior, propensity for disease extension as well as i...
Article
White line of Toldt
The white line of Toldt is a line formed at the junction of the lateral reflection of the posterior parietal peritoneum and the visceral peritoneum of the colon in the paracolic gutter.
This represents an avascular plane used to mobilize the right and left hemicolon during hemicolectomy and is ...
Article
Montreal classification of inflammatory bowel disease
The Montreal Classification of inflammatory bowel disease is used primarily to classify the severity of ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease based on specific categories.
This can then be used to guide treatment, discern risk of complications as well as facilitate epidemiological studies 1. The...
Article
Centrifugal (inside-out) enhancement of liver hemangioma
Centrifugal (inside-out) enhancement of liver hemangioma are a type of atypical hepatic hemangioma, which due to its imaging features, often raises the concern of a malignant process rather than a benign one.
Epidemiology
Centrifugal (inside-out) enhancement of liver hemangiomas are a relativ...
Article
Gastric neuroendocrine tumor
Gastric neuroendocrine tumors (GNETs), previously known as gastric carcinoids, are rare primary neoplasms that arise from enterochromaffin-like cells of the gastric mucosa.
Epidemiology
GNETs account for less than 2% of all gastric neoplasms and up to 10% of all gastrointestinal neuroendocrine...
Article
Inflammatory fibroid polyp - gastrointestinal tract
Inflammatory fibroid polyps (IFP's) are rare, benign lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly affecting the gastric antrum, followed by small bowel, and large bowel 1. Rarely it occurs in rectum, esophagus or gall bladder 1.
Epidemiology
The tumor is most commonly found in in patie...
Article
Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas
Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare, highly aggressive malignancy, clinically indistinguishable from the more common pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Their defining pathological and imaging characteristics are the frequent presence of central necrosis and vascular invasion.
Termi...
Article
Thoracic splanchnic nerves
The thoracic splanchnic nerves are three paired autonomic nerves that provide sympathetic innervation of the abdominopelvic viscera and vessels. They contain efferent and afferent fibers.
Gross anatomy
Three pairs of thoracic splanchnic nerves arise from the T5 to T12 sympathetic ganglia.
Gre...
Article
Hepatic plexus
The hepatic plexus (plural: plexuses) is an autonomic nerve plexus and ganglia located in the upper abdomen. Most descriptions are of a periarterial extension of the celiac plexus along the common hepatic artery and portal vein.
Summary
location: the plexus and ganglia extends to the right fr...
Article
Celiac plexus
The celiac plexus (plural: plexuses) is an autonomic nerve plexus and ganglia in the upper abdomen. It is the largest major autonomic plexus.
Summary
location: the ganglion and plexus lie close to the celiac trunk
origin:
preganglionic sympathetic fibers via the greater and les...
Article
Ganglion impar
The ganglion impar, also know as the ganglion of Walther, is the midline autonomic ganglion located in the lower pelvis. It is the most distal convergence of the pelvic sympathetic chain which is usually located anterior to the coccyx. It can be found anywhere between the sacrococcygeal joint a...
Article
Squeeze sign
The squeeze sign is a pathognomonic feature of a colonic lipoma, where the lesion is seen to change in size and shape upon compression. This can be demonstrated with a barium enema examination where a well-circumscribed, spherical filling defect will be seen to elongate during peristalsis 1,2. T...
Article
Superior mesenteric plexus
The superior mesenteric plexus is an autonomic nerve plexus and ganglia located in the retroperitoneum.
Summary
location: the plexus and ganglia lie in the retroperitoneum at the origin of the superior mesenteric artery within the small bowel mesentery
origin: formed from branches from ...
Article
Inferior mesenteric plexus
The inferior mesenteric plexus is an autonomic nerve plexus and ganglia located in the retroperitoneum.
Summary
location: the plexus and ganglia lie in the retroperitoneum at the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery
origin:
formed mainly from branches from the aorticorenal plexus
some c...
Article
Autonomic ganglia and plexuses
The autonomic ganglia and plexuses are a collection of ganglia where autonomic preganglionic neurons arising from the CNS synapse with postganglionic neurons outside the CNS, i.e. in the peripheral nervous system. Many of the ganglia contain nerves of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous ...
Article
Normal imaging examples
This article lists examples of normal imaging divided by body region and system.
brain
head and neck
spine
chest
breast
gastrointestinal
genitourinary
hepatobiliary
upper limb
lower limb
pediatrics
Article
Traditional serrated adenoma
Traditional serrated adenomas are a type of premalignant serrated colonic polyp.
Epidemiology
They are thought to account for <1% of all colonic polyps and 1-7% of all serrated lesions. They tend to occur in older patients (usually over 50 years) with no significant gender predilection.
Patho...
Article
Acute esophageal necrosis
Acute esophageal necrosis, sometimes known as Black esophagus or esophageal stroke, is a rare entity characterized by patchy or diffuse circumferential black pigmentation of the esophageal mucosa from ischemic necrosis.
It is classically characterized by a striking endoscopic image of diffuse, ...
Article
Splenectomy
A splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen. This can be partial or total, however a partial splenectomy is rarely performed due to an increased risk of complications compared to a total splenectomy 1.
Indications
Indications for a splenectomy can be divided into absolute and relative ...
Article
Decreased duodenal folds
Decreased duodenal folds may be seen on imaging modalities, particularly MR enterography, and differential diagnoses include:
scleroderma - usually with duodenal dilatation
celiac disease - particularly involves the distal duodenum and jejunum
Crohn disease
cystic fibrosis
amyloidosis
Article
Nontoxic megacolon
Nontoxic megacolon refers to colonic dilatation of more than 6 cm in an adult without mural abnormality. This is in contrast to toxic megacolon, an acute complication accompanied by mural abnormalities such as thickening, loss of haustral folds, pneumatosis or free gas.
The differential diagnos...
Article
Bowel wall fat deposition
Bowel wall fat deposition refers to the infiltration of the submucosa with fat and usually occurs in chronic processes such as inflammatory bowel disease, causing characteristic fat halo sign on CT images.
Other differential diagnoses include:
normal variant - particularly in obese patients w...
Article
Bowel wall calcification
Bowel wall calcification is not common and can occur secondary to various mechanisms due to benign, premalignant, or malignant lesions.
The differential diagnoses include:
mucinous adenocarcinoma
gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)
metastatic calcification - due to renal failure
hemangio...
Article
Esophageal balloon tamponade device
An esophageal balloon tamponade device is a form of balloon catheter designed to exert direct pressure on bleeding gastro-esophageal varices in order to obtain hemostasis. It is considered a temporizing measure in hemodynamically unstable patients in whom endoscopic (or angiographic) interventio...
Article
Feces
Feces, also known as stool, is the solid component of human waste. Almost half of its dry mass is bacterial biomass, with the remainder comprised of undigested dietary matter, exfoliated cells of the gut, intestinal secretions, small metabolites and mucus.
Composition
Fecal matter is semisoli...
Article
Gastrocolic fistula
A gastrocolic fistula (plural: fistulas/fistulae), also known as cologastric fistula, is a rare form of gut fistulisation between the stomach and the colon.
Terminology
Gastrocolic fistula, is much more common in the literature than its synonym cologastric fistula, which is in line with the co...
Article
Pseudokidney sign (colonic carcinoma)
The pseudokidney sign is a non-specific sonographic sign that describes the reniform shape of a mass with a hypoechoic region (representing bowel wall thickening) surrounding a central hyperechoic portion or echogenic stripe (which represents the apposition of the mucosal surfaces) 1,2.
It can...
Article
Gastropancreatic fistula
A gastropancreatic fistula is a rare form of gut fistulation where there is a fistulous communication between the stomach and the pancreas.
It has been described in association with
chronic pancreatitis 1 / severe pancreatitis
intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) 4
peptic ulcers 2
...
Article
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia describes an abnormally low blood glucose level (<4 mmol/L). It is a common clinical problem in diabetics overtreated with glucose lowering agents.
Clinical presentation
Signs of hypoglycemia include:
dizziness
tremors, palpitations and anxiety
hunger
sweating
confusion
fati...
Article
Zebra sign (disambiguation)
The evocative appearance of the coat of a zebra has been used for several distinctive signs in radiology:
zebra sign: cerebellar hemorrhage 1
zebra sign: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 2
zebra spleen: arterial phase appearance of normal spleen 4,5
zebra stripe sign: treated osteogenesis imper...
Article
Complications of radiation therapy
Radiation therapy has the potential to cause complications in many organ systems, many of which, especially in the thorax, are important for radiologists to be aware of.
acute radiation syndrome
complications of cranial radiation therapy
radiation-induced cerebral vasculopathy
radiation-ind...
Article
Gastrointestinal stents
Gastrointestinal (GI) stents are increasingly used to treat obstruction of the GI tract, most commonly due to malignancy.
Types of stent
esophageal stent
gastric stent
duodenal stent
enteric stent
colorectal stent
History and etymology
Somewhat surprisingly the word 'stent' is actually a...
Article
Glasgow-Blatchford score
The Glasgow-Blatchford score (GBS) is a widely-used and well-validated scoring system for upper GI bleeding and the need for intervention.
Score
The scoring system relies upon knowing the patient's urea, hemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, and several other criteria. Each criterion is scored,...
Article
Colorectal cancer (TNM staging 7th edition)
The 7th edition of the TNM classification of colorectal carcinomas was proposed in 2010, and has now been updated and replaced by the 8th edition, published in 2016.
Primary tumor staging (T)
Tx: primary tumor cannot be assessed
T0: no evidence of primary tumor
Tis: carcinoma in situ
T1: in...
Article
Traction esophageal diverticulum
A traction esophageal diverticulum is a true esophageal diverticulum (i.e. includes all layers of the esophageal wall) which occurs secondary to external pulling/traction forces on the esophageal wall.
Pathology
Etiology
pulmonary/mediastinal scarring or fibrosis
inflammatory processes in th...
Article
Scaphoid abdomen
Scaphoid abdomen is the term given to an inward concavity of the anterior abdominal wall. It is used both for the clinical appearance and its radiological equivalent.
In children it maybe a sign of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. In both adult and pediatric patients, it raises the possibility...
Article
N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate pulmonary embolism
N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate pulmonary embolism is a potentially life-threatening complication that can arise following the use of the tissue glue, butyl-cyanoacrylate, for endoscopic sclerotherapy to treat variceal bleeding.
Epidemiology
Sclerosis with biological glue (butyl cyanoacrylate) is curr...
Article
Water-soluble contrast challenge
A water-soluble contrast challenge (more widely known as a Gastrografin challenge) is a combined diagnostic study and therapeutic intervention utilized in the evaluation and management of small bowel obstruction. It is used when clinical or imaging features determine there to be small bowel obst...
Article
Pica
Pica refers to a psychiatric disorder in which patients report a craving for and compulsive consumption of substances that are not food. Substances consumed include earth, clay, plaster, paint chips, string, hair, animal feces and stones 1.
Epidemiology
Although the condition can present in a...
Article
Congenital pouch colon
Congenital pouch colons are an anomaly in which there is cystic dilation of a shortened colon. They can either partially or totally replace the colon.
Pathology
Associations
Congenital pouch colons can be associated with vaginal or vestibular fistulas and less frequently with other genitourin...
Article
Sliding hiatus hernia
A sliding hiatus hernia or type 1 hiatus hernia is considered the most common type of hiatus hernia. They can be present to varying degrees and can also co-exist with other types (inclusive of a rolling hiatus hernia).
Clinical presentation
Many patients may have gastro-esophageal reflux. Some...
Article
Timed barium esophagogram
The timed barium esophagogram (TBO) is a simple physiologic assessment and objective method for assessing the esophageal emptying used in patients with suspected achalasia and to evaluate and follow up patients who have been treated with myotomy or pneumatic dilatation1,3.
Technique
Several te...
Article
Mackler's triad
Mackler's triad consists of the clinical symptoms of vomiting, followed by severe pain in the chest, usually retrosternal, lower thoracic, and upper abdominal, associated with subcutaneous emphysema detected on physical examination, which is suggestive of esophageal rupture (Boerhaave syndrome) ...
Article
Anderson triad
The Anderson triad consists of the clinical findings of tachypnea and abdominal rigidity with lower thoracic or epigastric pain, associated with subcutaneous emphysema, which is usually related to esophageal rupture.
Article
Subhepatic appendicitis
Subhepatic appendicitis refers to inflammation of the appendix in which the appendix and cecum have failed to descend inferiorly during normal development; resulting in a "subhepatic" position.
Epidemiology
Presentation of an inflamed subhepatic appendix is exceedingly uncommon, representing o...
Article
Double beak sign
The double beak sign refers to the sudden tapering that two adjacent intestinal loops show in the internal hernia at the transition point of the closed loop obstruction.
The marked reduction in caliber results in distension of the afferent and efferent intestinal loops.
History and etymology
I...
Article
Crescent sign (disambiguation)
The characteristic shape of the crescent has been given to many radiological signs over the years:
air crescent sign (aspergillosis)
crescent in a doughnut sign (intussusception)
crescent sign (arterial dissection)
crescent sign (intravenous pyelogram)
crescent sign (lung hydatid)
crescent...
Article
Intussusception (summary)
This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
Intussusception occurs when a loop of bowel is pulled into the lumen of a distal bowel loop, and is an important cause of acute abdominal pain, particularly in young children.
Reference article
This is a summary article; ...
Article
Corkscrew sign (diffuse esophageal spasm)
A corkscrew esophagus, also known as a rosary bead esophagus, is a classic appearance of distal esophageal spasm on a barium swallow. It is actually quite a rare appearance which is seen in <5% cases of distal esophageal spasm. The finding is caused by multiple tertiary (non-propulsive) contract...
Article
Superficial epigastric vein
The superficial epigastric vein (TA: vena epigastrica superficialis) is an important tributary of the great saphenous vein that drains the anterior abdominal wall inferior to the level of the umbilicus.
The superficial epigastric vein drains into the great saphenous vein at the saphenous openin...
Article
Anal canal diverticulum
Diverticula of the anal canal are very rare with only a few cases reported in the global literature.
Clinical presentation
Patients have presented with anorectal bleeding and/or pain.
Radiographic features
The few cases have either not been characterized on imaging or only imaged on barium s...
Article
Intramural pseudocyst
Intramural pseudocysts are a rare form of pancreatic pseudocysts that occur within the wall of the upper gastrointestinal tract. They may result in gastric outlet obstruction.
Pathology
Size
They can considerably vary in size with one study reporting a range of 8 mm to 8 cm 1.
Location
Repo...
Article
Bowler hat sign
The bowler hat sign refers to an appearance on a GI contrast study, which may be seen with both polyps and diverticula of the bowel. The filling defect produced by the pathology mimics the outline of a bowler hat. It was originally described for colonic lesions, but can be seen with lesions thro...
Article
Cameron lesions
Cameron lesions refer to linear ulcers or erosions that occur on the mucosal folds at the diaphragmatic impression of a hiatus hernia. They are usually radiographically occult and diagnosed endoscopically (although still useful for a radiologist to know).
Epidemiology
Their prevalence has been...
Article
Superior hypogastric plexus
The superior hypogastric plexus is an autonomic nerve plexus and ganglia located in the lower abdomen.
Summary
location: the plexus and ganglia lie anterior to the aortic bifurcation extending inferiorly between the common iliac arteries and along the left common iliac vein and median sacral v...
Article
Clermont score
The Clermont or DWI-MaRIA scoring system is used to assess ileocolonic Crohn disease activity on noncontrast MRI enterography. It is based on the earlier Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity (MaRIA) index, however, it does not require intravenous gadolinium by substituting relative contrast enha...
Article
Cholecystocolonic fistula
Cholecystocolonic fistulas are most commonly a rare late complication of gallstone disease, resulting from an abnormal communication between the gallbladder and the colon. It is the second most common cholecystoenteric fistula after cholecystoduodenal fistulas 1.
Clinical presentation
These m...
Article
Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity (MaRIA)
The Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity (MaRIA) scoring system is used to assess ileocolonic Crohn disease activity on contrast-enhanced MRI enterography. The segmental index represents disease severity in one bowel segment, whilst assessing six defined anatomic regions these can be combined in...
Article
Rectal MRI (an approach)
Rectal MRI is a key imaging investigation in the diagnosis, staging and follow up of rectal cancer. An increase in the utility of rectal MRI as been driven by the recognition of the mesorectum as a distinct anatomic compartment containing and limiting the margins of the rectum, and forming a sur...
Article
Dolichocolon
Dolichocolon refers to an abnormally elongated redundant colon. It is considered a developmental variant.
Clinical presentation
The main symptoms and signs of dolichocolon are:
constipation
abdominal pain
abdominal distension
volvulus
However, dolichocolon is a contentious entity, and so...
Article
Interstitial cells of Cajal
The interstitial cells of Cajal are mesenchymal cells closely apposed to neural and smooth muscle cells of the gut. They form a heterogeneous group with differing ultrastructure and functions.
One cell type has an ancillary neural function as a gastrointestinal pacemaker, generating electrical ...
Article
Odynophagia
Odynophagia is the term given for painful swallowing.
Pathology
It can arise from a number of causes which include
esophageal inflammation - esophagitis
esophageal infection
substernal dysphagia
tonsillitis
pharyngitis
esophageal spasm
See also
dysphagia: difficulty swallowing.
Article
Incompetent ileocecal valve
An incompetent ileocecal valve is a situation where there can be reflux of backward flow of food content from the large bowel (cecum) through to the small bowel (terminal ileum) and through the ileocecal valve. A low degree of incompetence is not an uncommon finding 3. In some states, patients m...
Article
Sphincter (disambiguation)
A sphincter (TA: musculus sphincter) is a term used in anatomy to refer a ring of muscle which narrows a tube or closes off a bodily orifice 1.
anal sphincter
external anal sphincter
internal anal sphincter
hepatic sphincter
esophageal sphincter
lower esophageal sphincter
upper esophagea...
Article
Ram's horn sign
The Ram's horn sign, also known as Shofar sign, is the tubular, conical appearance of the stomach antrum seen on a barium meal. The stomach is less distensible and the curved conical appearance resembles the horn of a ram.
This is seen in granulomatous disease, typically Crohn disease, but also...
Article
Aerodigestive tract
The aerodigestive tract is a non-TA descriptive collective term for the respiratory tract and proximal portion of the digestive tract. As it is a non-standard term, its precise components vary somewhat with the context in which the term is being employed.
Terminology
Definitions of what precis...
Article
Van Assche index
The Van Assche index is a semiquantitative scoring system originally developed in 2003 to assess the severity and disease response in perianal fistulizing Crohn disease. In 2017 substantial changes were proposed to the original system, resulting in the modified Van Assche index. Both system rema...
Article
Abdominal paracentesis contraindications (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the contraindications to abdominal paracentesis is:
CAPSID
Mnemonic
C: coagulopathy (INR >2.0)
A: abdominal wall cellulitis
P: pregnancy
S: surgical abdomen (absolute contraindication) / severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <50 x 103/μL)
I: intra-abdominal adhes...
Article
Pediatric appendicitis score
The Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) is a clinical decision rule and predictor of the likelihood of acute appendicitis in the pediatric population 1.
Criteria
cough/percussion/hopping tenderness in right lower quadrant (+2)
anorexia (+1)
fever (+1)
nausea or emesis (+1)
tenderness in rig...
Article
Acute pancreatitis severity criteria (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the severity criteria for acute pancreatitis is:
PANCREAS
Mnemonic
P: PAO2 <8 kpA
A: age >55 years
N: neutrophilia (WBC >15 x 109 / L)
C: calcium <2 mmol/L
R: renal (urea >16 mmol/L)
E: enzymes (LDH >600 IU/L and AST >200 IU/L)
A: albumin (serum) <32 g/L
S: sugar...
Article
Small intestine diverticular disease
Small intestine diverticular disease is an uncommon form of diverticular disease and can be classified into disease affecting the:
Meckel diverticulum
Meckel diverticulitis
non Meckel diverticular disease
duodenum - duodenal diverticulosis
duodenal diverticulitis
jejunum and ileum - jejuno...
Article
Portal venous phase
The portal venous phase, also known as the late portal phase or hepatic phase, is a contrast-enhanced CT or MRI series that has the following characteristics:
liver parenchyma is at its peak enhancement with a density >110 HU (an increase of at least 50 HU from the unenhanced baseline)1,2
...
Article
Rosenbach sign (hemiplegia)
Rosenbach sign or phenomenon is a clinical sign described in hemiplegia.
The sign refers to the absence of an abdominal wall skin reflex when stroking the paralyzed side of a patient; conversely on the unaffected side, the reflex is normal 1.
See also
Rosenbach gave his name to two other cli...
Article
Obturator sign
Obturator sign is a clinical sign of acute appendicitis, it is defined as discomfort felt by the subject/patient on the slow internal movement of the hip joint, while the right knee is flexed. It indicates an inflamed pelvic appendix that is in contact with the obturator internus muscle 1-3.
Se...
Article
Late arterial phase
The late arterial phase, also known as the corticomedullary phase or early venous portal phase, is a contrast-enhanced CT or MRI series, in which there is an optimal enhancement of structures that get their blood supply directly from the arterial system.
The standard characteristics for this ph...
Article
Steelpan sign (sigmoid volvulus)
The steelpan sign refers to the close resemblance of sigmoid volvulus on CT to the percussion instrument known as the steelpan. The steelpan, also known as steel drum or pan, is a Caribbean musical instrument invented in Trinidad and Tobago by the mid-1930s, which became very popular in Trinidad...
Article
Hypervascular splenic lesions
Hypervascular splenic lesions are findings that enhance more or similarly to the background splenic parenchyma on late arterial phase, on contrast-enhanced CT or MRI.
Vascular
mycotic aneurysm
Neoplastic
splenic hemangioma 2
most common primary benign neoplasm of the spleen
second most com...
Article
Split-wall sign (sigmoid volvulus)
The split-wall sign is one of the signs of sigmoid volvulus. This sign is characterized by the separation of the walls of a single loop of the sigmoid colon due to the invagination of mesenteric fat between them. The intervening fat causes the loop to appear bilobed or C-shaped on axial images, ...