Enchondroma – Phalanx
History: 35 year old male with hand pain. This is a classic appearance of an enchondroma in a phalanx on radiographs. An enchondroma is a benign cartilaginous tumor that arises from the medullary space of the bone. Enchondromas are the second most common benign tumor of bones (after osteochondroma) and most common benign tumor of […]
Gracile Bones Mnemonic – NIMROD
This mnemonic has been commonly used to recall the differential diagnosis for gracile bones – NIMROD N – Neurofibromatosis I – Immobilization (Paralysis) M – Muscular Dystrophy R – Rheumatoid Arthritis O – Osteogenesis Imperfecta (click the link or see below) D – Dysplasias (Marfan’s syndrome, Homocystinuria)
Tendons of the Pes Anserinus Mnemonic
This mnemonic has been commonly used to recall the tendons of the pes anserinus (which means “gooses foot” in Latin): “Say Grace before Tea” S – Sartorius G – Gracillis T – Semitendinosus Learn about pes anserine bursitis here. Briefly, pes anserine bursitis is a condition of inflammation around the medial knee which usually presents with […]
Acroosteolysis Differential Diagnosis Mnemonic – PINCH FOV
This mnemonic has been commonly used to recall the differential diagnosis of acroosteolysis: P – Pycnodysostosis I – Injury (such as frost bite, burns, electrical) N – Neuropathy (such as congenital insensitivity to pain, Leprosy, diabetes, or other causes) C – Collagen vascular diseases (Scleroderma) H – Hyperparathyroidism F – Familial (Hadju-Cheyney) O – Other […]
The Differences Between the Male and Female Pelvis
Recently I shared a case of Peyronies disease. Many people thought it was showing an intrauterine device. Therefore, I created the following image to discuss the differences between the female and male pelvis. The male pelvic inlet is narrower than the female pelvic inlet and is more heart shaped, whereas the female pelvic inlet is […]
Peyronie’s Disease
History: male with penile pain. This is an example of Peyronie’s Disease, which has also been called “induratio penis plastica.” Peyronie’s disease is fibrosis of the tunica albuginea, which is the soft tissue lining the corpora cavernosa in the penis. This leads to a curved penis with erections and significant penile pain. This can […]
Pneumocephalus
History: male with head trauma This is the best example of post-traumatic pneumocephalus I have seen personally outside of the literature. Pneumocephalus literally just means airhead, and is caused most often by trauma (in as many as 75% of cases). The second most common cause of pneumocephalus is iatrogenic from either ventricular shunt placement or […]
Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fracture – AKA Tripod Fracture
History: male hit in the face with a baseball bat. This is a great example of a zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture, also known as a tripod fracture. Some people refer to it also as a quadripod fracture. See a nice overview of the radiology facial fractures here. Additionally, learn about what the surgeon wants to know […]
Volar Dislocated Proximal Interphalangeal Joint
History: male with finger pain. This is a volar dislocation of the third proximal interphalangeal joint. Volar dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint are the least common and have the worst prognosis. In volar dislocation the central slip of the extensor digitorum is commonly disrupted along with the volar plate and collateral ligaments. Dorsal dislocation […]
Solution to Unknown Case #37 – Dorsal Talar Osteophyte: A Talar Beak Mimic
History: man with ankle pain. This is an example of a dorsal talar osteophyte, which is a mimicker of a dorsal talar beak. A dorsal talar osteophyte indicates osteoarthrosis of the talocrural or talonavicular joint. A dorsal talar beak is seen in cases of tarsal coalitions where there are abnormal articulations typically between the calcaneus […]