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.
251 results found
Article
Permeative process in bone (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for permeative processes in bone is:
FIRE MD
Mnemonic
F: fibrosarcoma
I: infection
R: round cell tumors (Ewing sarcoma)
E: eosinophilic granuloma
M: metastases/myeloma/malignant fibrous histiocytoma
D: desmoid tumor
See also
permeative process in bone
pseudopermeative proce...
Article
Persistent communications between the carotid and vertebrobasilar arteries (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to recall the persistent communications between the anterior (carotid) and posterior (vertebrobasilar) systems is:
HOT Pepper
Knowledge of these anatomical variants is important to avoid confusion with pathology and to prevent inadvertent injury during surgery.
Mnemonic
H: hypoglo...
Article
Pituitary region mass (mnemonic)
Useful mnemonics for remembering the differentials for pituitary region masses (in addition to macroadenoma) are:
SATCHMO 1,2
MOuSTACHE
SOME ACTH HORMONE
Mnemonics
SATCHMO
S: sarcoid
A: aneurysm
T: teratoma or tuberculosis (and other granulomatous diseases)
C: craniopharyngioma, cleft ...
Article
Pneumatosis intestinalis (mnemonic)
A helpful mnemonic for remembering the causes of pneumatosis intestinalis is:
ChIPS
Mnemonic
C: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
I: ischemia
P: pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis
S: scleroderma/steroids
Article
Pneumobilia vs portal venous gas (mnemonic)
Pneumobilia and portal venous gas are two causes of an intrahepatic branching gas pattern. The two have different causes and implications and need to be distinguished on imaging, and a simple mnemonic can help.
Mnemonic
A simple mnemonic for remembering the difference in appearance is:
portal...
Article
Popliteal fossa anatomy (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember popliteal fossa anatomy (medial-to-lateral arrangement) is:
Serve And Volley Next Ball
Mnemonic
S: semimembranosus and semitendinosus (superomedial border)
A: artery (popliteal artery)
V: vein (popliteal vein)
N: nerve (tibial nerve)
B: biceps femoris (super...
Article
Posterior ankle tendons (mnemonic)
Mnemonics that can be used to remember the anatomy of the ankle tendons from anterior to posterior as they pass posteriorly to the medial malleolus under the flexor retinaculum in the tarsal tunnel include:
Tom, Dick and Harry
Tom, Dick And Very Nervous Harry
Mnemonic
Tom, Dick and Harry
T:...
Article
Posterior vertebral element lesions (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for posterior vertebral element lesions is:
GO TAPE
Mnemonic
G: giant cell tumor
O: osteoblastoma
T: tuberculosis
A: aneurysmal bone cyst
P: Paget disease
E: eosinophilic granuloma
Article
Posterior vertebral scalloping (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the differential diagnoses for posterior vertebral scalloping is:
SALMON
Mnemonic
S: spinal cord tumor (e.g. astrocytoma, ependymoma, schwannoma)
A: achondroplasia, acromegaly
L: Loeys-Dietz syndrome (and other connective tissue disorders)
M: Marfan's syndrome...
Article
Potter syndrome (mnemonic)
A helpful mnemonic to remember the common clinical features of Potter syndrome is:
POTTER
Mnemonic
P: pulmonary hypoplasia
O: oligohydramnios
T: twisted skin (wrinkly skin)
T: twisted face (Potter facies: low set ears, retrognathia, hypertelorism)
E: extremity deformities (limb deformitie...
Article
Primary and secondary hemochromatosis (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the radiological features of hemochromatosis is:
P's for primary and S's for secondary
Mnemonic
Primary hemochromatosis:
parenchymal (liver, myocardium, thyroid and synovium)
pancreas
pituitary
poor liver (organ dysfunction and malignancy)
Secondary hemochromatosis...
Article
Primitive arteries in the brain (mnemonic)
The primitive arteries in the brain can be remembered by the following mnemonic:
HOT MAP
Mnemonic
H: hypoglossal
O: otic
T: trigeminal
M: meningohypophyseal
P: posterior inferior cerebellar (PICA)
A: anterior choroidal
The meningohypophyseal trunk and anterior choroidal and posterior i...
Article
Profunda femoris branches (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the branches of the profunda femoris artery:
Put My Leg Down Please
Mnemonic
P: profunda femoris (deep femoral artery)
M: medial circumflex femoral artery
L: lateral circumflex femoral artery
D: descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery
P: perforati...
Article
Protrusio acetabuli (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for remembering the causes of protrusio acetabuli include:
PROTrusio acetabuli
My PROTRUSIO
Mnemonics
PROTrusio acetabuli
Includes the most common causes
P: Paget disease
R: rheumatoid arthritis (and other arthritides such as osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile idio...
Article
Pubic symphysis widening (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for widening of the pubic symphysis is:
EPOCH
Mnemonic
EPOCH
E: bladder exstrophy
P: prune belly syndrome
O: osteogenesis imperfecta
C: cleidocranial dysostosis
H: hypothyroidism
Note that this mnemonic does not include pubic diastasis secondary to trauma, a common cause of p...
Article
Pulmonary cavity (mnemonic)
A particularly helpful mnemonic for causes of pulmonary cavities is:
CAVITY
Mnemonic
C: cancer
bronchogenic carcinoma: most frequently squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
cavitary pulmonary metastasis(es): most frequently SCC
A: autoimmune; granulomas from
granulomatosis with polyangiitis
rh...
Article
Pulmonary nodules with air bronchograms (mnemonic)
A helpful mnemonic for causes of pulmonary nodules with air bronchograms is:
OBALLS
Mnemonic
OBALLS
O: organizing pneumonia
B: bronchoalveolar carcinoma (adenocarcinoma)
A: acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
L: lymphoma
L: lipoid pneumonia
S: sarcoidosis
Another consideration i...
Article
Radiographic features of a Charcot joint (mnemonic)
The radiographic features of a Charcot joint can be remembered by using the following mnemonics:
5 Ds of Charcot joint, or
6 Ds of Charcot joint (separating disorganization and dislocation)
Mnemonic
Density change (subchondral osteopenia or sclerosis)
Destruction (osseous fragmentation and ...
Article
Renal papillary necrosis (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for the causes of renal papillary necrosis are plentiful and include:
NSAID
POSTCARDS
AD SPORT C: a list of causes in decreasing order of incidence
DINASOR
Mnemonics
NSAID
Most common causes:
N: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
S: sickle cell disease
A: acetamin...
Article
Retroperitoneal organs (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember which organs are retroperitoneal is:
SAD PUCKER
Mnemonic
S: suprarenal (adrenal) gland
A: aorta/IVC
D: duodenum (second and third part)
P: pancreas (except tail)
U: ureters
C: colon (ascending and descending)
K: kidneys
E: (o)esophagus
R: rectum
Article
Rickets (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the radiological features of rickets is:
RICKETS
Mnemonic
R: reaction of the periosteum
I: indistinct cortex
C: coarse trabeculation
K: knees, wrists and ankles mainly
E: epiphyseal plates widened and irregular
T: tremendous metaphysis
S: spur (metaphyseal)
Article
Right-to-left shunt (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the differential diagnoses associated with right-to-left cardiovascular shunts is:
1-5
Mnemonic
1: a combination vessel; truncus arteriosus
2: number of arteries involved; transposition of the great arteries
3: "tri-" means 3, the number of leaflets involved; t...
Article
Rotator cuff (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to recall the muscles of the rotator cuff is:
SITS
Mnemonic
S: supraspinatus
I: infraspinatus
T: teres minor
S: subscapularis
Recalling this order also helps remember the insertions of these muscles, with the order being superior, middle and inferior facets of the greater tuber...
Article
Rule of 2s in Meckel diverticulum
The rule of 2s is a useful mnemonic for the features of Meckel diverticulum, although the figures do have a broad range:
Rule of 2s
occur in 2% of the population
are 2 inches (5 cm) long
are 2 feet (60 cm) from the ileocecal valve
2/3 have ectopic mucosa
2 types of ectopic tissue are commo...
Article
Sacral nerve plexus - anterior components (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the anterior components of the sacral plexus is:
too much sex in the quad
Mnemonic
tibial portion (L4-S2) of the sciatic nerve (L4-S3)
nerve to internal obturator and superior gemellus muscles (L5-S2)
nerve to quadratus femoris and inferior gemellus muscles (L4-S1)
Article
Sacral nerve plexus - posterior components (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the posterior components of the sacral plexus is:
Clean Guys Floss
Mnemonic
C: common peroneal nerve
G: gluteal (superior and inferior) nerves
F: femoral cutaneous (posterior) nerve
Article
Sacral plexus branches (mnemonic)
A handy mnemonic to recall the branches of the sacral plexus prior to its division is:
Six Ps: as all of the nerves start with the letter P
SLIP, DSP: if you slip over, you may need to go on the DSP (Disability Support Pension)
Mnemonic
Six Ps
nerve to piriformis (S1-S2)
perforating cutane...
Article
Salter-Harris fracture classification (mnemonic)
Useful mnemonics for remembering the Salter-Harris classification system are:
SALTR
SMACK
Fortunately, this is also the order of prognosis (from best to worse)
Mnemonics
SALTR
S: slipped (type I)
A: above or away from joint (type II)
L: lower (type III)
T: through or transverse or toget...
Article
Segmental bronchi of the right lower lobe (mnemonic)
The anatomy of the segmental bronchi of the right lower lobe can be remembered by using one of several mnemonics. The segments are as follows:
superior (B6)
medial basal (B7)
anterior basal (B8)
lateral basal (B9)
posterior basal (B10)
Mnemonics
Small P
Just remove the second "L" and...
Article
Seronegative spondyloarthritis (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the subgroups of seronegative spondyloarthritides is:
PEARU
Mnemonic
P: psoriatic arthritis
E: enteropathic arthritis (i.e. extraintestinal manifestation of IBD)
A: ankylosing spondylitis
R: reactive arthritis (Reiter syndrome)
U: undifferentiated spondyloa...
Article
Short metacarpals (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for remembering the causes of short metacarpals is:
BIC Pen
Mnemonic
B: basal cell nevus syndrome
I: idiopathic
C: chromosomal: Turner syndrome
P: pseudohypoparathyroidism/pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism
Article
Skin changes of mercury poisoning (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the skin changes associated with mercury poisoning is:
5 Ps
Mnemonic
P: pink
P: puffy
P: painful
P: paraesthesia
P: peeling
Article
Skull vault bones (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the six skull vault bones is:
STEP OF 6
Mnemonic
S: sphenoid
T: temporal
E: ethmoid
P: parietal
O: occipital
F: frontal
6: number of skull bones
Article
Soft tissue calcification (mnemonic)
Mnemonics to remember the causes of soft tissue calcification include:
My GHOSTS 1
TIC MTV 2
Mnemonics
My GHOSTS
My: myositis ossificans
G: gout
H: hyperparathyroidism
O: ochronosis
S: scleroderma/connective tissue diseases
T: tumoral calcinosis
S: sarcoma (synovial cell)
TIC MTV
T:...
Article
Soft tissue nodules in arthropathy (mnemonic)
Useful mnemonics to remember the differential diagnoses for soft tissue nodules in arthropathy are:
RAGS
"-oids"
Mnemonics
RAGS
R: rheumatoid arthritis
A: amyloid
G: gout
S: sarcoidosis
"-oids"
The aforementioned differential diagnoses end in "-oid":
rheumat-oid
amyl-oid
sarc-oid
g...
Article
Sonographic approach to dyspnea (mnemonic)
This mnemonic will help with the sonographic approach to the critically ill patient with dyspnea:
CHEST
Mnemonic
C: collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
absence of anterior lung sliding, lung pulse, B-lines, or z-lines
these artifacts arise from the pleural interface; their presence would rule ou...
Article
Spermatic cord contents (mnemonic)
Handy mnemonics to recall the contents of the spermatic cord are:
Papers Don't Contribute To A Good Specialist Level
3 arteries, 3 nerves, 3 fascias, 3 other things
Mnemonics
Papers Don't Contribute To A Good Specialist Level
P: pampiniform plexus
D: ductus deferens
C: cremasteric artery
...
Article
Stellate breast lesions: causes (mnemonic)
A handy mnemonic to recall the causes of a stellate breast lesion is:
STARFACE
Mnemonic
S: summation shadow
T: tumor (i.e. invasive breast cancer)
A: abscess
R: radial scar
F: fibroadenoma / fat necrosis
A: adenosis (sclerosing)
CE: other causes, hematoma (e.g. postoperative, post biops...
Article
Sternoclavicular sclerosis (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for sternoclavicular sclerosis include:
STOP
SPOT
Mnemonic
S: SAPHO syndrome
T: traumatic osteolysis
O: osteomyelitis/osteosarcoma
P: Paget disease
Article
Subchondral cysts (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the causes of subchondral cysts is:
COORS
Mnemonic
C: CPPD
O: osteoarthritis
O: osteonecrosis
R: rheumatoid arthritis
S: synovial-based tumors
Article
Subclavian artery branches (mnemonic)
Helpful mnemonics to remember the branches of the subclavian artery include:
Very Indignant Tired Individuals Sip Strong Coffee Served Double Daily
VIT C, D (as in vitamins C and D)
Mnemonics
Very Indignant Tired Individuals Sip Strong Coffee Served Double Daily
V: vertebral artery
I: inte...
Article
Subdivisions of the cerebellar vermis (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the nine lobules of the cerebellar vermis is:
Like Cats Catching Dogs For The Party Up North
Mnemonic
L: lingula
C: central lobule
C: culmen
D: declive
F: folium
T: tuber
P: pyramid
U: uvula
N: nodulus
Article
Superior orbital fissure (mnemonic)
Mnemonic for all structures passing through the superior orbital fissure (superior to inferior) include:
Long Fissures Seem To Store Only Nerves, Instead Of Arteries, Including Ophthalmic Veins
Mnemonics for the nerves passing through the superior orbital fissure include:
Lazy French Tarts Si...
Article
Surgically-created cardiac shunts (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for surgically-created cardiac shunts for congenital heart disease is:
Great Flow Really Would Be Perfect
The mnemonic is ordered by the position of the shunt antegrade to normal blood flow through the heart, proceeding from the systemic venous system into the right heart, and then...
Article
Surgical sieve (mnemonic)
A surgical sieve is an approach to differential diagnosis that prompts the user to consider various types of pathologies systematically. Various versions of this mnemonic exist:
5I 3-Scotland
MIDNIT
VINDICATE
VITAMIN CDEF
NAIVE MD DICTionary
Mnemonics
5I 3-Scotland
Where "3-Scotland" rel...
Article
T2 hyperintense basal ganglia (mnemonic)
A helpful mnemonic to recall the causes of T2 hyperintense basal ganglia is:
LINT
Mnemonic
L: lymphoma
I: ischemia
N: neurodegenerative conditions
T: toxins
See also
For a more detailed differential please see T2 hyperintense basal ganglia article.
Article
T2 hypointense basal ganglia (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
Tarsal bones (mnemonic)
Mnemonics of the tarsal bone are numerous and useful for memorizing the order and location of tarsal bones. They usually describe the position of the tarsal bones from superior to inferior, medial to lateral in a right foot:
The Cab in New Mexico Is Land Cruiser
The Cure of Nemaline Myopathy I...
Article
Temporal bone fracture complications (mnemonic)
A helpful mnemonic for remembering the complications of temporal bone fractures that may require early intervention is:
CLONE
Mnemonic
C: carotid artery injury
L: leakage of CSF
O: other intracranial complications, e.g. hematoma
N: nerve injury leading to complete facial paralysis
E: ext...
Article
Tendons of pes anserinus (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for remembering the three conjoined tendons that make up the pes anserinus include:
Say Grace before Tea
SerGeanT
Mnemonics
From anterior to posterior, the tendons are:
Say Grace before Tea
S: sartorius
G: gracilis
T: semitendinosus
SerGeanT
S: sartorius
G: gracilis
T: sem...
Article
Tetralogy of fallot (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the underlying anatomic defects in tetralogy of Fallot is:
PROVe
Mnemonic
P: pulmonary stenosis
R: right ventricular hypertrophy
O: overriding aorta
V: ventricular septal defect
Article
Thoracic plane (mnemonic)
A handy mnemonic to remember the structures found at the level of the thoracic plane (also known as the plane of Ludwig) is:
CLAPTRAP
RAT PLANT
Mnemonic
CLAPTRAP
C: cardiac plexus
L: ligamentum arteriosum
A: aortic arch (inner concavity)
P: pulmonary trunk
T: tracheal bifurcation (carin...
Article
Thoracoacromial artery (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the branches of the thoracoacromial artery is:
PACkeD
Mnemonics
PACkeD
P: pectoral
A: acromial
C: clavicular
D: deltoid
Article
Thyroid mass (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for thyroidal mass differential diagnosis is:
CATCH
Mnemonic
C: carcinoma
A: adenoma
T: thyroiditis
C: colloid cyst
H: hyperplasia (parathyroid gland)
Article
Toxic leukoencephalopathy (mnemonic)
Toxic leukoencephalopathy has myriad causes, the more common of which can be remembered with an acronymic mnemonic:
CHOICES 1
See the main article for details: toxic leukoencephalopathy.
Mnemonic
C: chemotherapy
H: heroin
O: other opioids
I: immunosuppressant medication or imidazole
C: ...
Article
Trauma CT thorax review areas (mnemonic)
Trauma CT thorax review areas are useful to reduce the potential for error, which is higher than usual given the larger number of images requiring review, and the often present time pressures and the potential presence of numerous concurrent injuries (see CT polytrauma).
Using some standard re...
Article
Tributaries of the inferior vena cava (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the tributaries of the inferior vena cava is:
I Like To Rise So High
Mnemonic
I: common iliac veins
L: lumbar veins
T: right testicular (gonadal) vein
R: renal veins
S: suprarenal veins
H: hepatic veins
Article
Trigeminal nerve branches (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for remembering the names of the skull foramina that the division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V) pass through is:
Standing Room Only
Mnemonic
standing: superior orbital fissure (ophthalmic division of trigeminal nerve)
room: foramen rotundum (maxillary division of trigeminal nerve...
Article
Tumors that metastasize to bone (mnemonic)
Tumors that metastasize to bone may be remembered using the mnemonic "lead kettle" spelled PBKTL (lead is Pb on the Periodic Table).
PB-KTL
Mnemonic
P: prostate
B: breast
K: kidney
T: thyroid
L: lung
For females, breast and lung are the most common primary sites; nearly 80% of cancers th...
Article
Typical clinical manifestations of multiple myeloma (mnemonic)
The typical clinical manifestations of multiple myeloma can be recalled using the mnemonic:
CRAB
Mnemonic
C: hypercalcemia
R: renal failure
A: anemia
B: bone disease
The CRAB mnemonic can help differentiate multiple myeloma from its precursor diseases - monoclonal gammopathy of undetermin...
Article
Unilateral hyperlucent hemithorax (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for a unilateral hyperlucent hemithorax include:
CRAWLS
SAFE POEM
ACROSSS
Mnemonics
CRAWLS
C: contralateral lung increased density, e.g. supine pleural effusion
R: rotation
A: air, e.g. pneumothorax
W: wall, e.g. chest wall mass, mastectomy, polio, Poland syndrome, surgical re...
Article
Upper and lower lobe distribution of bilateral pulmonary pathologies (mnemonic)
The upper and lower lobe distribution of certain bilateral pulmonary pathologies can be recalled using the following mnemonics:
upper lobe or apical predominance: CASSET HPP or SET CAP
lower lobe or bibasilar predominance: BAD RASH
Mnemonics
CASSET HPP
C: cystic fibrosis
A: ankylosing spo...
Article
Vertebra plana (mnemonic)
Mnemonics to remember the causes of vertebra plana include:
IMELT
FETISH
Mnemonics
IMELT
I: infection
M: metastasis/myeloma
E: eosinophilic granuloma
L: lymphoma/leukemia
T: trauma; tuberculosis
FETISH
F: fracture (trauma)
E: eosinophilic granuloma
T: tumor (e.g. metastases, myeloma...
Article
Von Hippel-Lindau disease (mnemonic)
Features of von Hippel-Lindau disease can be remembered by the mnemonic:
HIPPEL
Mnemonic
H: hemangioblastoma
I: increased risk of renal cell cancer
P: pheochromocytoma
P: pancreatic lesions (cyst, cystadenoma, cystadenocarcinoma)
E: eye dysfunction (retinal hemangioblastoma), endolymphati...
Article
Wormian bones (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember ten of the numerous conditions associated with Wormian bones is:
PORKCHOPS
Mnemonic
P - pyknodysostosis
O - osteogenesis imperfecta
R - rickets
K - kinky hair syndrome
C - cleidocranial dysostosis
H - hypothyroidism/hypophosphatasia
O - otopalatodigital syndrome
...
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