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.
36 results found
Article
Stab wound (overview)
Stab wounds are a form of penetrating trauma that may be self-inflicted or inflicted by another person either accidentally or intentionally. They may be caused by a variety of objects and may occur anywhere in the body.
Terminology
Although commonly caused by a knife as well, slash injuries di...
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
Basilar fractures of the skull
Basilar fractures of the skull, also known as base of skull 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) fractures or...
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
Cyanide poisoning
Cyanide poisoning is a cause of an acute anoxic-ischemic encephalopathy that also has eventual chronic sequelae.
Epidemiology
Acute cyanide poisoning is rare and often occurs after suicidal oral ingestion of cyanide-containing compounds, however there are other sources such as after smoke inh...
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
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
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.
Epidemiology
Incidence of gunshot injuries to the...
Article
Hanging and strangulation (trauma)
Hanging and strangulation are injuries involving constricting pressure applied to the neck. The vast majority are sustained as a result of attempted suicide.
Epidemiology
In America, hangings are the second most common form of suicide after firearm use. In other parts of the world due to the r...
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
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
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
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
International Classification of Diseases
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) or International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems constitutes a diagnostic classification standard and tool for all health disorders including epidemiological, clinical, research and health management issues. It...
Article
Organophosphate poisoning (CNS manifestations)
Organophosphate poisoning is an important cause of acute neurological dysfunction and respiratory distress. This article is focused on CNS manifestations of organophosphate poisoning.
Epidemiology
Organophosphate poisoning is common, often as a result of suicidal ingestion (acute high-level ex...
Article
Hypothermia-related death
Hypothermia-related death refers to the endpoint of behavioral and physiological changes caused by a reduction in body temperature.
Epidemiology
Hypothermia can affect anyone in extreme cold, but in the presence of helplessness promoting factors also occurs in temperate climates, indoors and i...
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
Normal respiratory postmortem changes
Normal respiratory postmortem changes refers to the expected changes seen in the respiratory system and tract with postmortem imaging.
Radiographic features
CT
hypostasis occurs in the lung postmortem and is visible as a hyperdense gradient dependent with gravity which is bilateral and symmet...
Article
Normal postmortem changes in the central nervous system
Normal central nervous system postmortem changes refers to the expected changes seen in the central nervous system with postmortem imaging.
Radiographic features
CT
loss of grey-white matter differentiation 1,2
intracranial and intravascular gas (due to putrefaction) 1,2
hyperdensity of the...
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...
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