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.
278 results found
Article
1-2-3 rule (ovary)
The 1-2-3 rule is a simple aide-mémoire describing the nomenclature of any small simple anechoic structure in the ovary on ultrasound:
<1 cm = follicle
1-2 cm = dominant follicle
>3 cm = cyst
Article
3-6-9 rule (bowel)
The 3-6-9 rule is a simple aide-memoire describing the normal bowel caliber:
small bowel: <3 cm
large bowel: <6 cm
appendix: <6 mm
cecum: <9 cm
Above these dimensions, the bowel is generally considered dilated, and obstruction or an adynamic ileus should be considered.
Article
5-F risk factors for cholelithiasis (mnemonic)
The 5-F rule refers to risk factors for the development of cholelithiasis in the event of upper abdominal pain:
fair: more prevalent in the Caucasian population 1
fat: BMI >30 kg/m2 and hyperlipidemia 3,4
female
fertile: one or more children
forty: age ≥40 years
cholelithiasis can occur in...
Article
Abdominal distension (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for causes of abdominal distension (6 Fs) is:
F: fat
F: fluid
F: flatus
F: feces
F: fetus
F: fulminant mass
Article
Abdominal organ echogenicity (mnemonic)
This mnemonic helps to remember the relative echogenicity of abdominal organs on ultrasound:
Darling Parents So Love Kids
Mnemonic
From most to least echogenic:
D: diaphragm
P: pancreas
S: spleen
L: liver
K: kidneys (cortex)
Article
Abnormal collection of barium anywhere (mnemonic)
A mnemonic used for abnormal collection of barium anywhere in the body:
FED UP
Mnemonic
F: fistula
E: extravasation
D: diverticulum
U: ulcer
P: perforation
Article
Accessory ossicles of the wrist (mnemonic)
The accessory ossicles of the wrist can be easily recalled with the mnemonics:
LOTTEO 1
HOTELS
Mnemonics
LOTTEO
L: lunula
O: os styloideum (carpal boss)
T: (os) triangulare
T: (os) trapezium secondarium
E: (os) epilunate
O: os hamuli proprium
HOTELS
H: (os) hamuli proprium
O: os tri...
Article
Acro-osteolysis (mnemonic)
The causes of acro-osteolysis can be remembered using the mnemonic:
PINCH FO
Mnemonic
P: psoriasis/pyknodysostosis
I: injury, e.g. thermal burn, frost bite
N: neuropathy, e.g. diabetes mellitus, leprosy
C: collagen vascular disease, e.g. scleroderma, Raynaud disease
H: hyperparathyroidism...
Article
Acute bacterial meningitis complications (mnemonic)
The complications of acute bacterial meningitis can be remembered using the mnemonic:
HACTIVE
Mnemonic
H: hydrocephalus
A: abscess
C: cerebritis / cranial nerve lesion
T: thrombosis
I: infarct
V: ventriculitis/vasculopathy
E: extra-axial collection: empyema and hygroma
Related articles...
Article
Acute stroke symptoms (mnemonic)
Useful mnemonics to remember the symptoms of acute stroke are:
FAST
BE-FAST
Mnemonics
FAST
F = face (look uneven?)
A = arm (drift down?)
S = speech (sound strange or difficulty speaking)
T = time (brain cells die every second)
BE-FAST
B = balance (sudden loss of balance)
E = eye (sudd...
Article
Adynamic ileus (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the common causes of adynamic ileus is:
5 Ps
Mnemonic
The classic "5 Ps" are:
P: postoperative
P: peritonitis
P: potassium: low (also disturbances of other electrolytes)
P: pelvic and spinal fractures
P: parturition
However, there are a few further Ps that can be included...
Article
Aging blood on MRI (mnemonic)
Aging blood on MRI is dependent on the varying MRI signal characteristics of hemorrhagic collections with time and can be very useful in correlating the imaging findings with the clinical picture. However, as it can be complicated to recall the MRI features of aging blood through the five stages...
Article
Annulus of Zinn contents (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the contents of the tendinous ring (also known as the annulus of Zinn) from superior to inferior is:
One Canal, Several Orbital Nerves In One Annulus
Mnemonic:
OC: optic canal
SO: superior division of oculomotor nerve
N: nasociliary nerve
IO: inferior division of ocu...
Article
Anterior ankle tendons (mnemonic)
A mnemonic that refers to the order of the anterior ankle tendons around the ankle is:
Tom Hates Dick
The mnemonic can be used to remember the order of the tendons from medial to lateral as they pass under the extensor retinaculum of the ankle.
Mnemonic
T: tibialis anterior
H: extensor hal...
Article
Anterosuperior mediastinal mass (mnemonic)
The common causes of an anterosuperior mediastinal mass can be remembered by using the mnemonic:
5 Ts
Mnemonic
T: thymus
T: thyroid
T: thoracic aorta
T: terrible lymphoma
T: teratoma and germ cell tumors - see mediastinal germ cell tumors
Testicular cancer metastasis can represent a sixt...
Article
Aortic arch branches (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the major branches of the aortic arch is:
ABC'S
Mnemonic
A: arch of aorta
B: brachiocephalic trunk
C: left common carotid artery
S: left subclavian artery
Article
Apical lung diseases (mnemonic)
Handy mnemonics to remember common apical lung diseases are:
SET CARP
CARPETS (anagram of SET CARP)
Mnemonics
S: sarcoidosis
E: eosinophilic pneumonia
T: tuberculosis
C: cystic fibrosis
A: ankylosing spondylitis
R: radiation pneumonitis
P: pneumoconiosis
Article
ASCOD classification (ischemic stroke)
The ASCOD classification system 1, published in 2013, aims to define phenotypes of ischemic strokes for individual patients by assigning a degree of probability to each of the most common causes of this pathology.
It serves most strictly as a research tool but is also useful clinically as a mne...
Article
Auditory brainstem response tracing (mnemonic)
This mnemonic helps when remembering the ascending order of structures that correspond to each waveform in an auditory brainstem response (ABR) tracing:
E COLI
Mnemonic
E: eighth nerve action potential (wave I)
C: cochlear nucleus (wave II)
O: olivary complex (superior) (wave III)
L: later...
Article
Avascular necrosis causes (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for the causes of avascular necrosis (AVN) or more correctly osteonecrosis:
STARS
PLASTIC RAGS
ASEPTIC
Mnemonics
STARS
Most common causes:
S: steroids, SLE
T: trauma (e.g. femoral neck fracture, hip dislocation, scaphoid fracture, slipped capital femoral epiphysis 2)
A: alcoho...
Article
Axillary artery branches (mnemonic)
Useful mnemonics to remember the branches of the axillary artery are:
S AL SAP
Screw the lawyer, save a patient!
Mnemonics
S AL SAP
The gap between the 'S' and the 'AL' to emphasize that 'S' is 1st part and 'AL' are 2nd part
S: superior thoracic artery (from 1st part)
A: acromiothoracic (...
Article
Basal ganglia T2 hypointensity (mnemonic)
The commonest causes of basal ganglia T2 hypointensity can be recalled using the following mnemonic:
ChOMP
Mnemonic
Ch: childhood hypoxia
O: old age
M: multiple sclerosis
P: Parkinson's disease, more in globus pallidus
Article
Basilar invagination (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to help recall the causes of basilar invagination is:
PF ROACH
Mnemonic
P: Paget disease of bone
F: fibrous dysplasia
R: rheumatoid arthritis, rickets
O: osteogenesis imperfecta, osteomalacia
A: achondroplasia
C: Chiari I and Chiari II, cleidocranial dysostosis
H: hyperparath...
Article
Behavioral changes in obstructive sleep apnea (mnemonic)
A mnemonic used to remember the behavioral changes of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is:
APRIL
Mnemonic
A: aggression
P: poor school performance
R: restlessness
I: irritability
L: lack of concentration
Article
Benign lytic bone lesions that rarely occur in patients over 30 (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember five benign lytic lesions that rarely occur in patients over 30 years old
SCAN Everything
Mnemonic
S: simple bone cyst
C: chondroblastoma
A: aneurysmal bone cyst
N: non-ossifying fibroma (including fibrous cortical defect)
E: eosinophilic granuloma
In a patient old...
Article
Bladder calcification (mnemonic)
A simple mnemonic to recall the common causes of bladder calcification is:
SCRITT
Mnemonic
S: schistosomiasis
C: cytotoxic: see radiation- and chemotherapy-induced cystitis
R: radiation: see radiation- and chemotherapy-induced cystitis
I: interstitial cystitis
T: tuberculosis
T: transiti...
Article
Bladder wall calcification (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the causes of bladder wall calcification is:
CREST
Mnemonic
C: cystitis post radiation therapy/chemotherapy/chronic infection
R: radiation
E: eosinophilic cystitis
S: schistosomiasis
T: tuberculosis
Article
Bochdalek hernia features (mnemonic)
A helpful mnemonic for remembering the features of a Bochdalek hernia is:
5 Bs
Mnemonic
B: Bochdalek
B: big
B: back and lateral, usually on the left side
B: baby
B: bad (associated with pulmonary hypoplasia)
To remember the side in which a Bochdalek hernia more commonly occurs (and to co...
Article
Bone cortical lesions (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for bony cortical lesions is:
Fear Of Missing Out S
Mnemonic
F: fibrosarcoma
O: osteoid osteoma
M: metastasis
O: osteomyelitis
S: stress fracture
Article
Bone lesion description (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for describing bone lesions (of any type) in a logical order:
All Sensible People Must Make Clear/Proper Sense
CAMPS
Mnemonic
A: age (maturity of skeleton)
S: site (bone name and location within bone) and size
P: pattern of destruction (lytic lesions)
M: margins (transition zon...
Article
Bone within a bone appearance (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the possible etiologies of a bone within a bone appearance is:
GHOST DRAGON
Mnemonic
G: growth arrest lines
H: heavy metals, hypoparathyroidism, hypothyroidism
O: osteopetrosis
S: sickle cell anemia, scurvy, syphilis
T: thalassemia, tuberculosis
D: disease o...
Article
Bony lesions without periostitis or pain (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to help remember bony lesions that have no pain or periostitis is:
E FUN
Mnemonic
E: enchondroma
F: fibrous dysplasia
U: unicameral bone cyst
N: non-ossifying fibroma
If periostitis or pain is present (assuming no trauma, which can be a foolhardy assumption), you can exclude E ...
Article
Bony sequestrum (mnemonic)
Mnemonics to help remember common causes of bony sequestrum include:
E-FILM
LIFE
FILE
Mnemonics
E-FILM
E: eosinophilic granuloma
F: fibrosarcoma
I: infection (Brodie abscess)
L: lymphoma (skeletal)
M: malignant fibrous histiocytoma or metastasis (especially from breast carcinoma)
LI...
Article
Bowel sacculation (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember causes of bowel sacculation is:
MISC
Mnemonic
M: metastasis
I: ischemia
S: scleroderma
C: Crohn disease
Article
Brachial plexus root subdivisions (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for brachial plexus root subdivisions include:
Rad Techs Drink Cold Beer
Robbie T Drinks Cold Beer
Rugby Teams Drink Cold Beers
Reach To Drink Cold Beer
Read That Damn Cadaver Book
Really Tired, Don't Care Now (nerve instead of branch)
Red Toucans Don't Come Back
Mnemonic
Whe...
Article
Brachial plexus terminal branches (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic for brachial plexus terminal branches includes:
Most Alcoholics Must Really Urinate
Mnemonic
Where the first letter of each word represents the terminal branches of the brachial plexus:
M: musculocutaneous nerve
A: axillary nerve
M: median nerve
R: radial nerve
U: ulnar...
Article
Branches of anterior and posterior divisions of the internal iliac artery (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the branches of the anterior and posterior divisions of the internal iliac artery is:
I <3 U SUMO SIL which reads as "I love you sumo Sil"
Mnemonic
I: internal pudendal artery
I: inferior vesical artery *
I: inferior gluteal artery
U: uterine artery (in femal...
Article
Branches of internal carotid artery (mnemonic)
Useful mnemonics to remember the branches of the internal carotid artery is:
A VIP'S COMMA
Calming Voices Make Intra-Operative Surgery Pleasurable And Almost Memorable
Mnemonics
A VIP'S COMMA
A: anterior choroidal artery (C7)
V: Vidian artery (C2)
I: inferolateral trunk (C4)
P: posterior...
Article
Branches of internal iliac artery (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the branches of the internal iliac artery is:
I Love Going Places In My Very Own Underwear!
Mnemonic
I: iliolumbar artery
L: lateral sacral artery
G: gluteal (superior and inferior) arteries
P: (internal) pudendal artery
I: inferior vesical (vaginal in female...
Article
Branches of maxillary artery (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for remembering the branches of the maxillary artery is:
DAM I AM Piss Drunk But Stupid Drunk I Prefer, Must Phone Alcoholics Anonymous
Mnemonic
D: deep auricular artery
A: anterior tympanic artery
M: middle meningeal artery
I: inferior alveolar artery
A: accessory meningeal ar...
Article
Branches of ophthalmic artery (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the branches of the ophthalmic artery is:
DR MCLESSI
Mnemonic
D: dorsal nasal artery
R: (central) retinal artery
M: muscular artery
C: ciliary arteries (long, short and anterior)
L: lacrimal artery
E: ethmoidal arteries (anterior and posterior)
S: supraorbi...
Article
Branches of the anterior division of the internal iliac artery (mnemonic)
Mnemonics to remember the branches of the anterior division of the internal iliac artery are:
SOI VU MR PIG (it can be remembered as SO fourth (IV) U MR PIG)
Oranges Under Some Ice Might Peel Instantly
Mnemonics
SOI VU MR PIG
S: superior vesical artery
O: obturator artery
IV: inferior ves...
Article
Branches of the external carotid artery (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for the branches of the external carotid artery abound. A few colorful examples include:
Some American Ladies Found Our Pyramids Most Satisfactory
Some Anatomists Like Freaking Out Poor Medical Students
She Always Likes Friends Over Papa, Mama, and Sister
There are many many many ...
Article
Branches of the posterior division of the internal iliac artery (mnemonic)
Mnemonics to remember the three branches of the posterior division of the internal iliac artery include:
I Love Sex
PILLS G
Mnemonics
I Love Sex
I: iliolumbar artery
L: lateral sacral artery
S: superior gluteal artery
PILLS G
P: posterior division of the internal iliac artery
IL: iliol...
Article
Branches of the thoracoacromial artery (mnemonic)
Useful mnemonics to remember the four branches of the thoracoacromial artery are:
ABCD
CAlifornia Police Department
Cadavers Are Dead People
PACkeD
Mnemonics
ABCD
A: acromial
B: breast (pectoral)
C: clavicular
D: deltoid
CAlifornia Police Department
C: clavicular
A: acromial
P: pe...
Article
Breast lesion localization (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to help remember breast lesion localization when given a set of mammograms in mediolateral oblique (MLO) and 90-degree/true lateral (mediolateral [ML] or lateromedial [LM]) views to predict laterality is:
muffins rise and lead falls
This can help localize a finding on MLO during dia...
Article
Broad ligament contents (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the contents of the broad ligament is:
BROAD
Mnemonic
B: bundle (ovarian neurovascular bundle)
R: round ligament
O: ovarian ligament
A: artifacts (vestigial structures)
D: duct (oviduct)
Article
Bronchial fracture (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the features of a bronchial fracture on a chest radiograph is:
Ps (or written as PPP or PPPP)
Mnemonic
Ps: progressive or persistent pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum
Article
Bronchopulmonary segments (mnemonic)
Mnemonics to remember the bronchopulmonary segments are:
A PALM Seed Makes Another Little Palm (right lung)
ASIA ALPS (left lung)
Mnemonics
'A PALM Seed Makes Another Little Palm'
right upper lobe
A: apical segment
P: posterior segment
A: anterior segment
middle lobe
L: lateral segment...
Article
Bronchovascular spread (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember diseases that undergo bronchovascular spread is:
SKILL
Mnemonic
S: sarcoidosis
K: Kaposi sarcoma
I: infection (e.g. pneumocystis pneumonia, tuberculosis)
L: lymphoma
L: lymphangitis carcinomatosis
Article
Calcaneal lesions (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for calcaneal lesions is:
BIG G
Mnemonic
B: bone cyst (unicameral)
I: intraosseous lipoma
G: ganglion (intraosseous)
G: giant cell tumor
Article
Calcified glial tumors (mnemonic)
In order of decreasing frequency, a useful mnemonic to remember glial tumors which calcify is:
Old Elephants Age Gracefully
Mnemonic
O: oligodendroglioma
E: ependymoma
A: astrocytoma
G: glioblastoma
Article
Calcifying pulmonary metastases (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the causes of calcifying pulmonary metastases is:
BOBCAT
Mnemonic
B: bone (chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma)
O: ovary
B: breast
C: colon
A: any primary post-chemotherapy
T: thyroid
Article
Cannonball metastasis (mnemonic)
Cannonball metastases refer to multiple large, well-circumscribed, round pulmonary metastases. The primary tumors for these lesions can be remembered with the help of this mnemonic:
CRESP
Mnemonic
C: choriocarcinoma
R: renal cell carcinoma
E: endometrial carcinoma
S: synovial sarcoma
P: p...
Article
Carbolic acid poisoning symptoms (mnemonic)
The symptoms of carbolic acid poisoning can be recalled using the mnemonic:
5 Cs
Mnemonic
C: CNS depression
C: constricted pupil
C: carboluria (smoky urine)
C: cartilage
C: corneal deposition
Article
Cardiophrenic angle mass (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the differential diagnoses of a cardiophrenic angle mass is:
Fat PAD
Mnemonic
F: fat
P: pericardial cyst
A: aneurysm, adenopathy
D: diaphragmatic hernia
Article
Carpal bones (mnemonic)
Mnemonics of the carpal bones are numerous and useful for memorizing the order and location of the bones.
Some mnemonics name the carpal bones in a circle, starting with the proximal row from the scaphoid towards the pinky (small finger) and then the distal row starting from the hamate towards ...
Article
Carpal tunnel syndrome causes (mnemonic)
Carpal tunnel syndrome results from compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. Its causes are numerous and varied.
A useful mnemonic to remember the causes is:
MEDIAN TRAP
Mnemonic
M: myxedema
E: edema
D: diabetes mellitus
I: idiopathic
A: acromegaly
N: neoplasm
T: trau...
Article
Causes of acute confusion in the elderly (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to help recall some of the causes of acute confusion in the elderly:
How Come 'Dis DoDo Is Excited
Mnemonic
H: hypoxia
C: constipation
D: drug effects
D: diabetes mellitus
D: dehydration
I: infection
E: electrolyte imbalance
Article
Causes of air trapping on high-resolution CT chest (mnemonic)
Mnemonics to remember the causes of air trapping on HRCT chest are:
HSBC
Mnemonic
H: hypersensitivity pneumonitis
S: sarcoidosis
B: bronchiolitis obliterans
C: cystic fibrosis/bronchiectasis
A useful way to remember the mnemonic is recalling that once you are with HSBC, you are "trapped" ...
Article
Causes of breast edema (mnemonic)
The causes of breast edema can be remembered using the mnemonic:
VIRALS
Mnemonic
V: venous obstruction
I: inflammatory breast cancer
R: radiotherapy
A: abscess
L: lymphatic obstruction
S: surgery (recent), secondaries 2
Article
Causes of cone-shaped epiphysis (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic for remembering the causes of cone-shaped epiphysis is:
ABCDE MOST
Mnemonic
A: achondroplasia, acrodysostosis
B: Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
C: chondroplasia punctata, Cockayne syndrome, conorenal syndrome, cleidocranial dysplasia, cartilage-hair hypoplasia
D: dactylitis...
Article
Causes of dementia (mnemonic)
The causes of dementia can be remembered using the mnemonic:
VANISHED
Mnemonic
V: vascular, vitamin deficiency: B1, B6, B12, folate
A: Alzheimer disease, autoimmune: cerebral vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus
N: normal pressure hydrocephalus, neoplasia
I: infection, e.g. Creutzfeldt...
Article
Causes of oligohydramnios (mnemonic)
A helpful mnemonic for remembering some causes of oligohydramnios is:
DRIPPC
Mnemonic
D: demise
R: renal abnormalities (decreased urine output)
I: IUGR
P: premature rupture of membranes
P: post-dates
C: chromosomal anomalies
Article
Causes of pancreatitis (mnemonic)
A catchy and early learnt mnemonic for recalling some of the causes of pancreatitis is:
I GET SMASHED
Mnemonic
I: idiopathic
G: gallstones, genetic - cystic fibrosis
E: ethanol (alcohol)
T: trauma
S: steroids
M: mumps (and other infections)/malignancy
A: autoimmune
S: scorpion stings/s...
Article
Causes of pulseless electrical activity (mnemonic)
Pulseless electrical activity is a very disconcerting emergency medical scenario with very high mortality unless its etiology can be quickly ascertained and corrected. A mnemonic to remember the different causes of pulseless electrical activity is:
MAD (triple H) CAT
Mnemonic
M: massive pulmo...
Article
Causes of sacroiliitis - symmetric vs asymmetric (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for remembering the symmetric vs asymmetric causes of sacroiliitis is:
PAIR
Mnemonic
P: psoriatic arthritis
A: ankylosing spondylitis
I: inflammatory bowel disease related
R: reactive (e.g. Reactive arthritis, formerly Reiter syndrome)
The outside letters P & R (letters are far...
Article
Cavernous sinus contents (mnemonic)
The cavernous sinus contents (structures within the sinus proper and also in its lateral wall) and their relative positions can be recalled with the following mnemonic:
O TOM CAT
Consider a coronal view of the cavernous sinus.
'O TOM' are the first letters of components of the lateral wall of...
Article
Cerebellopontine angle mass (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for the common cerebellopontine angle masses include:
AMEN or MEAN
SAME
ANGLES
Mnemonics
AMEN/MEAN
A: acoustic neuroma (a.k.a. vestibular schwannoma) (~80%)
M: meningioma (~10%)
E: ependymoma (~5%)
N: neuroepithelial cyst (arachnoid/epidermoid) (~5%)
SAME
S: schwannoma
ves...
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), inflammatory - neurocysticercosis (NCC), tuberculoma
C: contusion
...
Article
Cervical incompetence morphological changes on ultrasound (mnemonic)
Sequential morphological ultrasound changes of the endocervical canal with cervical incompetence can be remembered using the mnemonic:
Trust Your Vaginal Ultrasound
Mnemonic
T-shaped (normal internal cervical os)
Y-shaped
V-shaped
U-shaped
Related article
cervical incompetence
funnelin...
Article
Charcot joint causes (mnemonic)
The causes of a Charcot joint can be remembered, using a mnemonic - with a little poetic license - as they (all) start with the letter S.
Mnemonic
s: sugar (diabetes)
s: syphilis
s: steroid use
s: syringomyelia
s: spinal cord injury
s: spina bifida
s: scleroderma
s: scaly disease (lepro...
Article
Chest radiograph preinterpretation (mnemonic)
A helpful mnemonic for chest radiograph preinterpretation is:
POPIRAM
Mnemonic
P: projection, PA (Posterior-Anterior) or AP (Anterior-Posterior)? left lateral or right lateral?
O: orientation, determine left and right of the chest x-ray
P: penetration (of the x-ray), under- or over-penetrat...
Article
Chondrocalcinosis (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for chondrocalcinosis include:
3 Cs
HOGWASH
Mnemonics
3 Cs
C: crystals e.g. CPPD, sodium urate (gout)
C: cations e.g. calcium (any cause of hypercalcemia), copper, iron
C: cartilage degeneration (e.g. osteoarthritis, acromegaly, ochronosis)
HOGWASH
H: hyperparathyroidism, hyp...
Article
Coarse trabecular pattern in bone (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember differentials causing a coarse trabecular pattern in the bone
PHROG
Mnemonic
P: Paget disease (bone)
H: Hemoglobinopathies (i.e thalassemia), hyperparathyroidism
R: Rickets
O: Osteoporosis, osteomalacia
G: Gaucher's disease
Article
Common calcifying metastases (mnemonic)
A simple mnemonic to recall a list of commonly calcifying metastases is:
BOTOM
Mnemonic
B: breast cancer
O: osteosarcoma
T: papillary thyroid cancer
O: ovarian cancer (especially mucinous)
M: mucinous adenocarcinoma (especially colorectal carcinoma)
Article
Common causes of bronchiectasis (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the common causes of bronchiectasis is:
CAPT Kangaroo has Mounier-Kuhn
Mnemonic
C: cystic fibrosis or congenital cystic bronchiectasis (Williams-Campbell syndrome)
A: allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)
P: post-infectious (most common)
T: tuberculosis (gra...
Article
Complex adnexal mass - differential diagnosis (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the differential diagnosis of complex adnexal masses is:
CHEETAH
Mnemonic
C: cystadenoma/cystadenocarcinoma (serous and mucinous)
H: hemorrhagic ovarian cyst
E: endometrioma
E: ectopic pregnancy
T: teratoma/torsion
A: abscess (tubo-ovarian)
H: hydrosalpinx/hematosalpinx (...
Article
Complications of petrous temporal bone fracture (mnemonic)
A handy mnemonic to recall the complications of transverse and longitudinal petrous temporal bone fractures is:
Listen Carefully To Something Funny
Mnemonic
listen carefully = longitudinal / conductive hearing loss
to something funny = transverse / sensorineural hearing loss and facial nerve...
Article
Complications of pulmonary interstitial emphysema (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the complications of pulmonary interstitial emphysema is that the most common ones begin with:
pneum-
Mnemonic
pneumatocele
pneumothorax
pneumomediastinum
pneumoperitoneum
Article
Conditions with lower lobe predominance (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for conditions with a lower lobe predominance in chest radiology include:
CIA
BAD AS
RASCO
Mnemonics
CIA
C: collagen vascular diseases
I: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
A: asbestosis
BAD AS
B: bronchiectasis
A: aspiration pneumonia
D: drugs; desquamative interstitial pneumon...
Article
Conditions with upper lobe predominance (mnemonic)
Useful mnemonics to remember conditions with upper lobe predominance in chest radiology are:
STEP
BREASTS
Mnemonics
STEP
S: sarcoidosis, silicosis
T: tuberculosis
E: eosinophilic pneumonia
P: pneumoconiosis
BREASTS
B: berylliosis
R: radiation fibrosis
E: extrinsic allergic alveolitis...
Article
Congenital hypothyroidism (mnemonic)
The features of an infant with congenital hypothyroidism can be recalled with the following mnemonic:
5 Ps
Mnemonic
P: pot belly
P: pallor
P: puffy face
P: protruding umbilicus
P: poked out tongue
Article
Contents of the cubital fossa (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the contents of the cubital fossa is, from medial to lateral:
My Brother Throws Rad Parties
Mnemonic
M: median nerve
B: brachial artery
T: tendon of biceps
R: radial nerve
P: posterior interosseous branch of radial nerve
Article
Corpus callosum development (mnemonic)
The development of the corpus callosum occurs between the 12th and 16-20th weeks of gestation. It begins with the genu and then continues posteriorly along the body to the splenium. The rostrum is the last part to be formed.
This can be remembered with the help of this mnemonic :
Great Britai...
Article
Corpus callosum hyperintensity (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the causes of corpus callosum hyperintensity is:
I MADE A PHD
Mnemonic
I: infections (e.g. tuberculosis, varicella, rotavirus, HSV)
M: Marchiafava-Bignami syndrome
A: AIDS encephalopathy
D: diffuse axonal injury and diffuse vascular injury
E: epilepsy
A: a...
Article
Corpus callosum parts (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to help remember the parts of the corpus callosum, from anterior to posterior, is:
Remember Genu Before Splenium
Remember G Before S (as G comes before S alphabetically)
Mnemonic
R: rostrum
G: genu
B: body (trunk)
S: splenium
Article
Cortically-based brain tumors (mnemonic)
A handy mnemonic to recall cortically-based brain tumors is:
PDOG
DOG Pee
Mnemonic
P: pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma
D: dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET); desmoplastic infantile astrocytoma and ganglioglioma
O: oligodendroglioma
G: ganglioglioma
Article
Cortical nephrocalcinosis (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for common causes of cortical nephrocalcinosis is:
COAG
GOAT
Mnemonic
C: cortical necrosis
O: oxalosis
A: Alport syndrome
G: (chronic) glomerulonephritis
G: (chronic) glomerulonephritis
O: oxalosis
A: Alport syndrome/ Acute cortical necrosis
T: Transplant rejection (Chro...
Article
Couinaud classification of hepatic segments (mnemonic)
Pauli et al published a "handy" way to remember the Couinaud classification of hepatic segments 1.
Make a fist with your right hand. The fingers should be wrapped around the flexed thumb and the fist should face you. The segments are represented by the following:
segment 1: (caudate): the thum...
Article
Cranial nerves (mnemonic)
There are many cranial nerve mnemonics that can be memorable and rude/lewd. Either way, they can be helpful for remembering the names of the twelve cranial nerves, as well as remembering which nerves are sensory, motor, or both.
Remembering cranial nerve names in order of CN I to CN XII:
On ol...
Article
Crohn disease (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the radiological features of Crohn disease is:
CROHNS
Mnemonic
C: cobblestone appearance of mucosa
R: rose-thorn ulcers
O: obstruction of bowel
H: hyperplasia of mesenteric lymph nodes
N: narrowing of intestinal lumen
S: skip lesions
Article
Cruciate ligament insertions onto the femur (mnemonic)
The location of the cruciate ligament insertions onto the femur can be remembered with the mnemonic:
AEPI
Mnemonic
AE: anterior onto external condyle
PI: posterior onto internal condyle