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
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...
Article
Near drowning pulmonary edema
Near drowning pulmonary edema is considered an etiological subtype of non cardiogenic pulmonary edema. 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 ventil...
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
Trauma films (summary approach)
This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
Trauma films are ubiquitous in an orthopedic 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 fractu...
Article
Hypostasis
Hypostasis (also called livor mortis) refers to the purplish discolouration of the superficial layers of dependent areas of the skin occurring soon after death. In reality the mechanisms causing hypostasis cause changes in every organ in the body.
Epidemiology
In one study imaging evidence of ...
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 Organization (WHO), an estimated 360,000 annual deaths occur due to drowning.
This article concerns itself with postmortem appearances in fatalities from dro...
Article
Postmortem changes - cardiovascular
Cardiovascular postmortem changes refer to the normal appearances of the cardiovascular system on postmortem imaging.
Radiographic features
CT
hyperdensity of the aortic wall 1,2
hypostasis of blood intravascularly 3
dilatation of the right atrium of the heart 1
dilatation of the superior...
Article
Decomposition
Decomposition of the human body occurs soon after death and is of relevance to radiology in the fields of postmortem and forensic radiology.
Pathology
Decomposition occurs due to two main processes 1,2:
autolysis: degradation by destructive enzymes released by dying cells in the body
putrefa...
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
Bridging vein thrombosis
Bridging vein thrombosis describes thrombosis of the fragile bridging veins that cross the subarachnoid and subdural spaces. The presence of bridging vein thrombosis on imaging has a strong association with non-accidental injury and can hint towards a traumatic etiology behind subdural hematoma ...
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
Labeled imaging anatomy cases
This article lists a series of labeled imaging anatomy cases by body region and modality.
Brain
CT head: non-contrast axial
CT head: non-contrast coronal
CT head: non-contrast sagittal
CT head: non-contrast axial with clinical questions
CT head: angiogram axial
CT head: angiogram coronal
...
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
Taphonomy
Taphonomy is the study of death, decay and fossilization. A subdiscipline of paleontology essentially examining the train of events and processes of fossilization. It includes the study of soft tissue decay/degradation, skeletal separation and chemical changes post burial.
Whilst encompassing ...
Article
Rib fractures (NAI)
Rib fractures in non-accidental injury are a relatively common mode of presentation in inflicted non-accidental injury.
In the context of a child with normal bones, rib fractures are always concerning for non-accidental injury 1 and appropriate clinical assessment should be made. This will usua...
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.
Pathology
Penetrating thor...
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