Radiology Key

Key Facts • Osteoporosis, osteomalacia, osteosclerosis, hyperostosis, and osteonecrosis may be related to drug effects. • Methotrexate osteopathy is characterized by bone pain, osteoporosis, and insufficiency fractures. • Antiepileptic drugs…

Key Points • Secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) is most often due to malignancies, especially non-small cell lung cancer. • HOA may be due to nonpulmonary conditions. • Bone scan findings…

Key Facts • The terms osteonecrosis (ON) and avascular necrosis (AVN) are usually used interchangeably. The term infarct usually refers to identical changes occurring in the marrow cavity rather than…

Key Facts • Ultrasound is now a well-established imaging modality helping early diagnosis and follow-up of rheumatologic disorders. • Dynamic ultrasound imaging and assessment of vascularity are among the most…

Key Facts • Imaging findings in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reflect the pathophysiology of the disease. • Early radiographic findings include fusiform soft tissue swelling and juxtaarticular osteoporosis. • Later radiographic…

Key Facts • The three-phase bone scan consists of (1) an early blood flow phase that reflects vascularity, (2) a blood pool phase that shows the level of soft tissue…

Key Facts • Clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures the spatial distribution of protons in the body. • Gradient coils are used to provide spatial information. The changing gradients are…

Key Facts • Central dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning has become the clinical gold standard for bone mineral density assessment. • Measurement of hip bone mineral density (BMD) by DXA…

Key Facts • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the capability of defining normal and abnormal articular cartilage morphology. Imaging at high-field strength (such as 3T) aids in the resolution of…