Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc
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Ultrasonography (US) has been shown to be an effective imaging modality in the evaluation of both rotator cuff and non-rotator cuff disorders, usually serving in a complementary role to magnetic resonance imaging of the shoulder. US technique for shoulder examination depends on patient positioning, scanning protocol for every tendon and anatomic part, and dynamic imaging. The primary US signs for rotator cuff supraspinatus tendon tears are tendon nonvisualization for complete tears, focal tendon defect for full-thickness tears, a hypoechoic defect of the articular side of the tendon for an articular-side partial-thickness tear, and flattening of the bursal surface of the tendon for a bursal-side partial-thickness tear. ⋯ Long-head biceps tendon abnormalities include instability, acute or chronic tear, and tendinosis. The acromioclavicular joint is assessed for dislocation, fluid collection, cysts, and bone erosions. Other non-rotator cuff disorders include synovial disorders such as adhesive capsulitis and synovial osteochondromatosis; degenerative disorders such as osteoarthritis, amyloid arthropathy, hemarthrosis, and chondrocalcinosis; infectious disorders such as septic arthritis and bursitis; and space-occupying lesions.
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Acute epiploic appendagitis most commonly manifests with acute lower quadrant pain. Its clinical features are similar to those of acute diverticulitis or, less commonly, acute appendicitis. The conditions that may mimic acute epiploic appendagitis at computed tomography (CT) include acute omental infarction, mesenteric panniculitis, fat-containing tumor, and primary and secondary acute inflammatory processes in the large bowel (eg, diverticulitis and appendicitis). ⋯ The CT features of acute omental infarction include a well-circumscribed triangular or oval heterogeneous fatty mass with a whorled pattern of concentric linear fat stranding between the anterior abdominal wall and the transverse or ascending colon. As CT increasingly is used for the evaluation of acute abdomen, radiologists are likely to see acute epiploic appendagitis and its mimics more often. Recognition of these conditions on CT images will allow appropriate management of acute abdominal pain and may help to prevent unnecessary surgery.
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Neck masses are a common finding in children and can present a difficult diagnostic challenge. These masses may represent a variety of conditions having a congenital, acquired inflammatory, neoplastic, or vascular origin. ⋯ The imaging findings in 120 children who had been referred or treated for cervical lesions were retrospectively reviewed, and a systematic multimodality imaging approach to pediatric neck lesions based on the involvement of anatomic compartments of the cervical region was developed to increase diagnostic efficiency. Careful attention to clinical history and physical examination findings, along with knowledge of the embryologic features and anatomy of the cervical region and a multimodality imaging approach, is very helpful in the diagnosis and management of pediatric neck lesions.
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Clinical assessment of women with urethral symptoms is difficult, necessitating further evaluation with imaging. Urethrography provides limited information on luminal abnormalities of the urethra. Recent advances in ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging have dramatically improved evaluation of the female urethra, clarifying findings at physical examination and providing accurate road maps for surgeons. ⋯ Imaging features do not allow differentiation between histologic subtypes of urethral carcinoma; the diagnosis is established with histopathologic examination. Periurethral cysts do not communicate with the urethra and therefore can often be differentiated from urethral diverticula at endocavitary MR imaging. High-resolution multiplanar US and MR imaging allow comprehensive evaluation of abnormalities of the female urethra.
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Increasing activity in the general population and the high demands placed on athletes have resulted in injuries to the hamstring muscle complex (HMC) being commonplace in sports. Imaging of HMC injuries can form a considerable part of a sports medicine practice, with a wide spectrum of such injuries being reflected in their varied imaging appearances. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and ultrasonography (US) are the imaging modalities of choice in this setting. ⋯ Optimization of MR imaging involves the use of a surface coil and high-resolution techniques, allowing the musculoskeletal radiologist not only to diagnose injury and assess severity but also to provide the clinician with useful clues with respect to prognosis. The portability and availability of US make it an attractive modality for the diagnosis of acute hamstring injuries, although its effectiveness is dependent on operator experience. A thorough knowledge of the HMC anatomy and of the spectrum of imaging findings in HMC injury is crucial for providing optimal patient care and will enable the musculoskeletal radiologist to make an accurate and useful contribution to the treatment of athletes at all levels of participation.