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

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

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

Ballistics (overview)

Ballistics is the scientific study of projectiles. Numerous variables determine initial projectile velocity, characteristics of flight, and the projectile's effects on the target. These can be divided into the fields of internal ballistics, external ballistics, and terminal ballistics. Understan...
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 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...
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

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. For a more detailed description of ballistics, see...
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

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

Postmortem changes - musculoskeletal and soft tissue

Musculoskeletal and soft tissue postmortem changes refer to the expected appearances of the musculoskeletal system and soft tissues on postmortem imaging. Radiographic features CT livor mortis can be seen in the dependent soft tissues 1 hypostasis of the dependent muscles increased attenuat...

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