Radiographic Pathology

Disease definitions, radiographic appearances, signs, and differential diagnosis

Pneumonia

Infection of the lung parenchyma causing inflammation and consolidation of the alveolar spaces, resulting in impaired gas exchange.

chest

Silhouette sign (loss of normal interface with adjacent structure)

Air bronchograms

Pleural Effusion

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space between visceral and parietal pleura.

chest

Costophrenic angle blunting (earliest — ~200 mL)

Meniscus sign

Pneumothorax

Presence of air in the pleural space, causing partial or complete lung collapse.

chest

Pleural line visible

Absent lung markings peripheral to pleural line

Colles' Fracture

Transverse fracture of the distal radius with dorsal displacement and dorsal angulation of the distal fragment. Often with ulnar styloid fracture. Classic 'dinner fork deformity.' Named after Abraham Colles (1814).

upper limb

Dorsal displacement of distal radius

Dorsal angulation (loss of volar tilt)

Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)

Progressive degenerative joint disease with loss of articular cartilage, osteophyte formation, subchondral sclerosis, and cyst formation.

lower limb

Asymmetric joint space narrowing

Osteophytes (bone spurs)

Scoliosis

Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine measuring > 10° by the Cobb method. May be structural (fixed) or functional (correctable).

spine

Lateral curvature > 10° Cobb angle

Vertebral rotation (pedicle asymmetry)

Bowel Obstruction

Mechanical or functional blockage of intestinal lumen preventing normal transit. SBO (small bowel obstruction) more common than LBO.

abdomen

Dilated bowel loops proximal to obstruction

Multiple air-fluid levels at different heights (erect)

Hip Fracture (Proximal Femur)

Fracture of the proximal femur, most commonly the femoral neck or intertrochanteric region. Most common in elderly patients with osteoporosis.

pelvis

Cortical discontinuity

Disruption of Shenton line

References Used

Bontrager's Textbook · Merrill's Atlas · Clark's Positioning · Gray's Anatomy · OpenStax Anatomy & Physiology · Radiopaedia · StatPearls · ACR · ESR · RSNA · WHO

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