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.

More than 200 results
Article

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a commonly performed spinal fusion procedure for the decompression of the cervical cord due to disc protrusions and posteriorly projecting osteophytes. It is not to be confused with an ACDA (anterior cervical disc arthroplasty). Indications An...
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Total knee arthroplasty

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA), total knee replacement (TKR), or tricompartmental knee replacement is an orthopedic procedure whereby the three articular surfaces of the knee (femoral, tibial, and patellar) are replaced by prosthetic components. TKA is the most common joint arthroplasty performe...
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Epididymal appendix

Epididymal appendices, also known as appendix of the epididymis or appendix epididymis, are an testicular appendage found at the head of the epididymis 1. They represent a developmental remnant of the mesonephric duct (Wolffian duct). In 78% of the cases, it has a stalk configuration and is thus...
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Testicular appendages

Testicular and epididymal appendages are remnants of embryonic ducts and are quite common, with one or more being present in ~70% of patients 1. Gross anatomy Four such appendages have been described: testicular appendix (hydatid of Morgagni) it is a Müllerian duct remnant (paramesonephric d...
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Salter-Harris classification

The Salter-Harris classification was proposed by Salter and Harris in 1963 1 and is the most widely used (c. 2023) system for describing physeal fractures.  Classification Conveniently, the Salter-Harris types can be remembered by the mnemonic SALTR. type I slipped 5-7% fracture plane pass...
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Dose area product

The dose area product (DAP) or kerma area product (KAP) is a method of radiation dose monitoring used in radiographic and fluoroscopic studies. It provides one indication of the radiation dose received by a patient and is the measurement used in dose audits (such as comparing diagnostic referenc...
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Sickle cell disease (skeletal manifestations)

Skeletal manifestations of sickle cell disease result from three interconnected sequelae of sickle cell disease 5:  vaso-occlusive crises resulting in bone infarcts and subperiosteal hemorrhages chronic anemia resulting in expansion of the medullary spaces infection These, in turn, can predi...
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Liver

The liver is the largest abdominal organ. It plays a major role in metabolism and has many functions, including glycogen storage, decomposition of red blood cells, plasma protein synthesis, hormone production, and detoxification. It is one of the very few organs that has the ability to regenerat...
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Tibialis posterior dysfunction

Tibialis posterior dysfunction is common, mostly affecting middle-aged and elderly females, and can progress to adult-acquired flatfoot disease.  Pathology Dysfunction occurs secondary from repetitive overloading resulting in degeneration, which occurs in the typical continuum of tenosynovitis...
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Third ventricle

The third ventricle is one of the four CSF-filled cavities that together comprise the ventricular system. It communicates with the paired lateral ventricles and unpaired fourth ventricle. Gross anatomy The third ventricle is a median cleft between the two thalami, which make up the superior as...
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Major and minor edits

The terms major edit and minor edit are used to describe article edits and are used in a variety of ways on the site. Minor edits Minor edits are changes that do not significantly alter the substance or meaning of the content. They are typically superficial in nature and focus on improving rea...
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Skull fractures

Skull fractures are common in the setting of both closed traumatic brain injury and penetrating brain injury. Their importance is both as a marker of the severity of trauma and because they are, depending on location, associated with a variety of soft tissue injuries.  This article will focus o...
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Skull fractures (summary)

This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists Skull fractures usually occur following significant head injury and may herald underlying neurological pathology. Reference article This is a summary article; read more in our article on skull fractures. Summary anatomy...
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Charcot joint

Charcot joint, also known as a neuropathic joint or Charcot (neuro/osteo)arthropathy, refers to a progressive degenerative/destructive joint disorder in patients with abnormal pain sensation and proprioception. Epidemiology In modern Western societies by far the most common cause of Charcot jo...
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Septum pellucidum

The septum pellucidum is a thin transparent membrane located in the brain between the body and anterior horns of the lateral ventricles. Gross anatomy It extends from the rostrum, genu and anterior portion of the body of the corpus callosum to the fornix. It separates the anterior horns of the...
Article

Tibial plateau fracture

Tibial plateau fractures were originally termed a bumper fracture or fender fracture but only 25% of tibial plateau fractures result from impact with automobile bumpers. Pathology The most common mechanism of injury involves axial loading, e.g. fall from a significant height. In younger patien...
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Line focus principle

The line focus principle in radiography explains the relationship between the actual focal spot on the anode surface and the effective focal spot size. Basic concept The focal spot is the area of the target upon which the electron beam strikes. The energy of the electrons in the electron beam ...
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Koos classification

The Koos classification is a grading scale frequently used to describe the growth extent ofr vestibular schwannomas 1. Classification grade 1: small intracanalicular tumor grade 2: small tumor with protrusion into the cerebellopontine cistern (CPA); no contact with the brainstem grade 3: tum...
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Normal pressure hydrocephalus

Normal pressure hydrocephalus remains a controversial entity with often ambiguous imaging findings. It is classically characterized by the triad of gait apraxia/ataxia, urinary incontinence, and cognitive impairment, although not all patients with the condition have all three 31. On imaging, it...
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Intermetatarsal joint

The intermetatarsal joints are strong interosseous ligaments between the second to fifth metatarsals and serve to maintain the lateral integrity of the forefoot.  Gross anatomy The intermetatarsal ligaments are present between the second to fifth metatarsal. There is no ligament between the se...

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