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.
37 results
Article
Hangman fracture
Hangman fracture, also known as traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis, is a fracture which involves the pars interarticularis of C2 on both sides, and is a result of hyperextension and distraction.
Epidemiology
These injuries account for 4-7% of all cervical spine fractures and up to 22% of ...
Article
Solvent abuse
Solvent abuse (toluene being the major component) is remarkably common, especially in young people with psychosocial stressors, and with chronic use can lead to numerous ill-effects, particularly affecting the central nervous system.
Epidemiology
Solvent abuse is geographically widespread, an...
Article
Gunshot injuries
Gunshot injuries are a type of penetrating trauma that often require imaging assessment, and this evaluation has both clinical relevance (assessment of organ damage, surgical planning, and prognostication), and often also forensic implications.
For a more detailed description of ballistics, see...
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
Near drowning pulmonary oedema
Near drowning pulmonary oedema is considered an aetiological subtype of non cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. It can occur with both salt water and fresh water near-drowning.
Pathology
It is thought to result from the inhalation of either fresh water or sea water resulting in lung damage and a ven...
Article
Bone age assessment
Bone age assessment is used to radiologically assess the biological and structural maturity of immature patients from their hand and wrist x-ray appearances. It forms an important part of the diagnostic and management pathway in children with growth and endocrine disorders. It is helpful in the ...
Article
Renal trauma
Renal trauma can result from direct, blunt, penetrating, and iatrogenic injury.
Epidemiology
Renal injuries account for ~10% of abdominal trauma, and thus the demographic of affected individuals reflect that population. The incidence of renal injuries increases in pre-existing congenital or ac...
Article
Liver trauma
The liver is one of the most frequently damaged organs in blunt trauma, and liver trauma is associated with a significant mortality rate.
Epidemiology
In blunt abdominal trauma, the liver is injured ~5% (range 1-10%) of the time 1,3.
Clinical presentation
Patients can present with right uppe...
Article
Splenic trauma
Splenic trauma can occur after blunt or penetrating trauma or secondary to medical intervention (i.e. iatrogenic). The spleen is the most frequently injured internal organ after blunt trauma.
Epidemiology
In blunt trauma, the spleen can account for up to 49% of abdominal organ injuries 2.
Cli...
Article
Pancreatic trauma
The pancreas is uncommonly injured in blunt trauma. However, pancreatic trauma has a high morbidity and mortality rate.
Epidemiology
The pancreas is injured in ~7.5% (range 2-13%) of blunt trauma cases 1,3,7. Motor vehicle accidents account for the vast majority of cases. Penetrating trauma co...
Article
Fracture-a-la-signature (skull fracture)
Fracture-a-la-signature (or signature fracture) is another term used to described a depressed skull fracture.
Fracture-a-la-signature derives its name from forensic medicine because the size and shape of a depressed skull fracture may give information on the type of weapon used. It can be a si...
Article
Penetrating thoracic trauma
Penetrating thoracic trauma, namely gunshot and stab injuries, vary widely in incidence globally but nevertheless result in high mortality and serious morbidity. CT is the modality of choice in imaging these patients and can reduce the need for surgical exploration.
For a description of ballis...
Article
High-velocity penetrating brain injury
High-velocity penetrating brain injuries, in practical terms most often due to cranial gunshot injuries, are a form of penetrating traumatic brain injuries, which are much less common than blunt traumatic brain injuries and distinguished from low-velocity penetrating brain injuries (such as stab...
Article
Trauma films (summary approach)
This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
Trauma films are ubiquitous in an orthopaedic attachment and also in the Emergency Department.
In most cases, a trauma film will come with two views. It is important that you review both films because in some cases a fract...
Article
Ethylene glycol toxicity
Ethylene glycol toxicity is a type of toxic leukoencephalopathy. Ethylene glycol, best known as a component of antifreeze, has been ingested both deliberately and accidentally, resulting in neurotoxicity and renal failure.
Epidemiology
Ethylene glycol is found in many compounds including antif...
Article
Anatomy curriculum
The anatomy curriculum is one of our curriculum articles and aims to be a collection of articles that represent the core anatomy knowledge for radiologists and imaging specialists.
General anatomy
Neuroanatomy
Head and neck anatomy
Thoracic anatomy
Abdominal and pelvic anatomy
Spinal anat...
Article
Postmortem and forensic curriculum
The postmortem and forensic curriculum is one of our curriculum articles and aims to be a collection of topics that represent core knowledge pertaining to forensic and postmortem radiology.
Definitions
Postmortem radiology: the radiographic examination of the body after death.
Forensic radi...
Article
Drowning (postmortem findings)
Drowning is one of the most prevalent causes of non-natural death with typical postmortem imaging findings. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 360,000 annual deaths occur due to drowning.
This article concerns itself with postmortem appearances in fatalities from dro...
Article
Battle sign (base of skull fracture)
Battle sign is an eponymous term given to mastoid ecchymosis (bruising of the scalp overlying the mastoid process) and is strongly suggestive of a base of skull fracture, most commonly a petrous temporal bone fracture.
History and etymology
Mr William Henry Battle (1855-1936) was an English s...
Article
Basilar fractures of the skull
Basilar fractures of the skull, also known as base of skull or skull base fractures, are a common form of skull fracture, particularly in the setting of severe traumatic head injury, and involve the base of the skull. They may occur in isolation or often in continuity with skull vault (calvarial...