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.
743 results found
Article
Inverted "V" sign (spinal cord)
The inverted "V" sign, also known as the inverted rabbit ears sign, is a radiological sign described in subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
It refers to the appearance of the spinal cord on axial MRI slices 1-3. On these slices in a patient with subacute combined degeneration of...
Article
Trident sign (neurosarcoidosis)
The trident sign is a radiological (MRI) sign described in spinal cord neurosarcoidosis.
The sign is formed by the axial appearance of a longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis due to spinal cord neurosarcoidosis, whereby on a T1 post-contrast (gadolinium) MRI sequence, there is central ca...
Article
Bagel sign (Behçet disease)
The bagel sign is a radiological sign appreciated on MRI spine that is described in patients with neuro-Behçet disease-associated myelitis.
The sign describes the involvement of the spinal cord as seen on axial T2 sequences in patients with myelitis, whereby there is a round hyperintense lesion...
Article
Wackenheim line
The Wackenheim line, also known as the clivus canal line or basilar line, can be used to assess for atlanto-occipital dissociation.
Measurement
The Wackenheim line is the caudal extension of a line drawn along the posterior cortex of the clivus on lateral cervical spine radiographs 1.
Interpr...
Article
Kyphosis
Kyphosis (plural: kyphoses), much less commonly kyphus, is a term used to describe the sagittal curvature of the thoracic spine. Hyperkyphosis is when the kyphosis angle is above the normal range 5,7.
Pathology
Kyphosis increases with age, with a kyphosis angle of ~25° (range 20-29°) in adoles...
Article
Disc bulge
A disc bulge represents displacement of the outer fibers of the annulus fibrosus beyond the margins of the adjacent vertebral bodies, involving more than one-quarter (25% or 90°) of the circumference of an intervertebral disc 3. Because it is limited by the annulus fibrosus it does not extend ab...
Article
Heterozygous HTRA1-related cerebral small vessel disease
Heterozygous HTRA1-related cerebral small vessel disease, also known as cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy type 2 (CADASIL2), is a very rare monogenic cerebral small vessel disease.
Heterozygous HTRA1-related cerebral small vessel disease ...
Article
Basilar process
The basilar process, also known as the mammillar or papillar process, is a rare anatomical variant of the occipital bone that is part of the spectrum of occipital vertebrae 1.
Epidemiology
The basilar process is a rare variant, with a reported prevalence of 4% 2.
Clinical presentation
A basi...
Article
Sacroiliitis
Sacroiliitis (rare plural: sacroiliitides), is an inflammation of one or both sacroiliac (SI) joints, and a common cause of buttocks or lower back pain. Sacroiliitis can be a manifestation of a wide range of disease processes.
Clinical presentation
Symptoms of sacroiliitis can vary. People wit...
Article
V sign (disambiguation)
Signs inspired by the letter V have been described in several different pathologies:
inverted V sign (pneumoperitoneum)
inverted V sign (spinal cord)
Naclerio V sign (pneumomediastinum)
V sign (interphalangeal joint subluxation)
V sign (midbrain)
V sign (chest): a clinical cutaneous sign o...
Article
C1-C2 false localizing sign (spine)
C1-C2 false localizing sign, sometimes referred to merely as C1-C2 sign, is seen on spinal imaging and can lead to the mislocalization of a CSF leak in individuals with intracranial hypotension.
There are numerous reports of fluid at this location that have been interpreted as the actual site ...
Article
Sacral insufficiency fracture
Sacral insufficiency fractures are a subtype of stress fractures, which are the result of normal stresses on abnormal bone, most frequently seen in the setting of osteoporosis. They fall under the broader group of pelvic insufficiency fractures.
Epidemiology
Risk factors
Risk factors are thos...
Article
Cobb angle
The Cobb angle is the most widely used measurement to quantify the magnitude of spinal deformities, especially scoliosis, on plain radiographs. Scoliosis is a lateral spinal curvature with a Cobb angle of >10° 4. The Cobb angle technique can also assess the degree of kyphosis or lordosis in the ...
Article
Spinal dura mater
The spinal dura mater is the outermost layer of the meninges that surround the spinal cord.
Gross Anatomy
The spinal dura mater is a fibrous, non-adherent, tough layer surrounding the spinal cord. Unlike the intracranial dura mater, it only has a single layer which is continuous with the inner...
Article
Spinal dysraphism
Spinal dysraphisms refer to a broad group of malformations affecting the spine and/or surrounding structures in the dorsum of the embryo. They are a form of neural tube defect.
Pathology
The neural tube is formed by the lengthwise closure of the neural plate, in the dorsum of the embryo.
The ...
Article
Normal spine imaging examples
This article lists examples of normal imaging of the spine and surrounding structures, divided by region and modality.
Cervical spine
plain radiograph
example 1: AP, lat, obliques only
example 2: PEG view
example 3: flexion and extension views only
example 4: pediatric (12 years old)
exam...
Article
Bertolotti syndrome
Bertolotti syndrome refers to the association between lumbosacral transitional vertebrae and low back pain.
Although it may be a consideration in younger patients, the entity is considered controversial and has been both supported and disputed. Some studies suggest lumbosacral transitional vert...
Article
Scalpel sign (spinal cord)
The scalpel sign is described in dorsal thoracic arachnoid web on sagittal MRI spine studies. It relates to focal distortion of the thoracic cord, appearing anteriorly displaced. The enlarged dorsal CSF space mimics the profile of a surgical scalpel.
It is helpful in distinguishing cases where ...
Article
Neurolymphomatosis
Neurolymphomatosis is a rare cause of neuropathy due to infiltration of the peripheral nervous system by a hematologic malignancy, in the great majority a B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
It should be differentiated from non-tumor neuropathies associated with lymphoma, such as irradiation, chemothe...
Article
Shiny corner sign (ankylosing spondylitis)
The shiny corner sign is a spinal finding in ankylosing spondylitis, representing reactive sclerosis secondary to inflammatory erosions at the superior and inferior endplates (corners on lateral radiograph) of the vertebral bodies, which are known as Romanus lesions. Eventually, the vertebral bo...
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