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Diagnostic radiology

Musculoskeletal system

104 topics with concise breakdowns: definitions, key facts, and class questions.

This section focuses on the diagnostic imaging of musculoskeletal disorders. It covers general principles and basic visualization methods: ultrasound, elastography, joint MRI (including artifacts), and osteodensitometry.

A major block is dedicated to traumatology: from stress fractures and avulsion injuries to detailed diagnostics of injuries to all major joints (shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle), as well as pelvic bones. Metabolic disorders affecting bone remodeling—osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, and osteogenesis imperfecta—are discussed separately.

During classes, instructors most frequently ask about the differential diagnosis of tumors and inflammatory processes. Therefore, the reference guide strictly structures the features of malignant (osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma) and benign bone and soft tissue tumors, as well as metastases. The systemic diseases section details the radiological patterns of osteoarthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, and specific arthritides.

Section Topics

Diagnostic imaging of the musculoskeletal systemDiagnostic imaging of the musculoskeletal system is based on traditMusculoskeletal ultrasoundUltrasound examination provides high-resolution dynamiUltrasound elastographyUltrasound elastography is a diagnostic imaging method that allowMRI of jointsMagnetic resonance imaging of joints is a powerful yet technically complMRI artifactsMRI artifacts are various distortions on the obtained tomograms, not Adhesive capsulitisCapsulitis adhesivaCT of the ankle jointComputed tomography of the ankle joint is a diagnostic methodDiagnostic imaging of shoulder joint injuriesArticulatio humeriDiagnostic imaging of biceps brachii tendon injuriesTendo musculi bicipitis brachiiDiagnostic imaging of elbow joint injuriesArticulatio cubitiDiagnostic imaging of wrist joint injuriesArticulatio radiocarpalisDiagnostic imaging of hip joint injuriesArticulatio coxaeDiagnostic imaging of knee joint injuriesArticulatio genusDiagnostic imaging of ankle and foot injuriesArticulatio talocruralisMeniscal MRIMagnetic resonance imaging is the method of choice for visualizingGeneral principles of diagnostic imaging of bone tumorsPre-biopsy imaging evaluation of bone neoplasms is based on three OsteochondromaOsteochondromaMultiple enchondromatosisMultiple EnchondromatosisChondroblastomaChondroblastomaChondromyxoid fibromaChondromyxoid FibromaOsteoid osteomaOsteoid OsteomaOsteoblastomaOsteoblastomaNon-ossifying fibromaNon-Ossifying FibromaGiant cell tumor of boneOsteoclastomaIntraosseous hemangiomaHaemangioma ossisIntraosseous lipomaLipoma ossisSimple bone cystA simple bone cyst is a benign osteolytic lesionFibrous dysplasia of boneDysplasia fibrosaCystic bone lesionsCystic bone lesions are a group of pathological skeletal conditionsBone metastasesBone metastases are secondary malignant foci arising fromPrimary malignant bone tumorsPrimary malignant bone tumors represent extremely rarePeriosteal osteosarcomaOsteosarcoma periostealeChondrosarcomaChondrosarcomaOsteosarcomaOsteosarcomaPost-radiation bone sarcomaPost-radiation sarcoma (PRS) is a secondary malignant neoplasmEwing's sarcomaEwing sarcomaNotochordal tumorsChordomaAngiosarcoma of boneAngiosarcomaDiagnostic imaging of soft tissue tumorsTumores textus mollisAdipocytic soft tissue tumorsLipoma / LiposarcomaNodular fasciitisFasciitis nodularisDesmoid fibromatosisFibromatosis desmoidesPigmented villonodular synovitisSynovitis villonodularis pigmentosaSoft tissue vascular malformationsSoft tissue vascular malformations are developmental anomalies of the vascuTumors and pseudotumors of peripheral nervesTumors and tumor-like lesions of peripheral nerves are a miscellaneouMyxoid soft tissue tumorsMyxoid soft tissue tumors are a group of neoplasms with characterisSynovial sarcomaSarcoma synovialeInfectious and inflammatory soft tissue diseasesInfectious and inflammatory processes are among the most frequentDiagnostic imaging of the handDiagnostic imaging of hand pathologies is based on identifying specificSciatic nerve MRIMagnetic resonance imaging is a key visualization methodBone remodelingBone remodeling is a continuous physiological processOsteoporosisOsteoporosisIdiopathic juvenile osteoporosisOsteoporosis juvenilis idiopathicaOsteogenesis imperfectaOsteogenesis imperfectaOsteodensitometryOsteodensitometry is an instrumental assessment of mineral densityHyperparathyroidismHyperparathyreosisPseudohypoparathyroidismPseudohypoparathyreosisRicketsRachitisOsteomalaciaOsteomalaciaHypophosphatasiaHypophosphatasiaOsteopetrosisOsteopetrosisDiagnostic imaging of arthritisArthritisArthropathy in systemic lupus erythematosusLupus erythematosus systemicusDiagnostic imaging of osteoarthritisOsteoarthritisHand joint pathologiesDiagnostic imaging of hand joints is a key tool for differentiatiAnkylosing spondylitisSpondylitis ankylosansPsoriatic arthritisArthritis psoriaticaEnteropathic arthritisArthritis enteropathicaGoutArthritis uricaPyrophosphate arthropathyArthropathia pyrophosphoricaDiagnostic imaging of connective tissue diseasesConnective tissue diseases such as scleroderma, lupus, and dDiffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosisHyperostosis skeletalis idiopathica diffusaHemophilic arthropathyArthropathia haemophilicaNeuropathic arthropathyArthropathia neuropathicaSynovial osteochondromatosisOsteochondromatosis synovialisLipoma arborescens of the jointLipoma arborescensHemochromatosisHaemochromatosisMRI of the extremitiesMagnetic resonance imaging is a highly sensitive imaging methodDiagnostic imaging of arthrosisComprehensive assessment of joint status requires mandatory correlationJoint space on X-rayChanges in joint space width represent a fundamental radiological sign reflectingRadiography of the sacroiliac jointsSacroiliac joint radiography is a fundamental imaging methodRadiological stages of rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the onset ofGeneral principles of diagnostic imaging for extremity and pelvic traumaStandard radiography remains the cornerstone for detecting skeletalStress fractures and fracture classificationStress fractures are fatigue injuries of the bone resulting fromDiagnostic imaging of shoulder girdle and humeral traumaProper interpretation of radiographs in shoulder girdle injuries allowsDiagnostic imaging of elbow and forearm traumaRadiography is the primary and most essential method for detecting injuriesDiagnostic imaging of wrist traumaWrist injuries require the radiologist's focused attention, as manyAvulsion fracturesAvulsion fractures are a specific type of injury where a ligament andDiagnostic imaging of pelvic and acetabular traumaImaging of pelvic injuries is key to determining the biomechanicalDiagnostic imaging of hip and thigh traumaThe main objective of diagnostic imaging in thigh trauma is the precise detection ofDiagnostic imaging of knee traumaKnee imaging aims to detect both obviousDiagnostic imaging of ankle traumaAnkle radiography is the foundational imaging method for traumaDiagnostic imaging of foot traumaFoot imaging is the primary tool for detecting fracturesDiagnostic imaging of osteomyelitisOsteomyelitisDiabetic foot syndrome (diagnostic imaging)Diagnostic imaging in diabetic foot syndrome aims to detectDiagnostic imaging of septic arthritisArthritis purulentaSpecific bone and joint infections (diagnostic imaging)Specific infections of the musculoskeletal system include fungalDiagnostic imaging of spinal infectionsInfectious involvement of spinal structures requires urgent imagingDiagnostic imaging of jointsDiagnostic imaging of joint diseases integrates visualization methodsSkull radiographyDespite the search query, this reference section focuses onShoulder radiographyThe foundational imaging method for shoulder trauma and disorders, enabling the evaluation ofDiagnostic imaging of skeletal pathologiesDiagnostic imaging of skeletal pathologies combines radiographic,Lower leg radiographyLower leg radiography is the primary diagnostic imaging method for injuriesFibula radiographyFibula radiography is a fundamental diagnostic imaging method

Frequently asked questions for this section

Is there any point in getting a spinal X-ray for back pain?

In most cases, no. The radiation dose is high (equivalent to 6 months of background radiation), while the diagnostic yield is low. An exception is screening for osteoporotic fractures.

Can ultrasound be used for a comprehensive evaluation of the internal bone structure?

No, the method has strict limitations in assessing the bone tissue itself due to high ultrasound absorption. However, it is exceptionally well-suited for examining its surface—the periosteum and cortical layer.

What is the principle of ultrasound elastography?

The software calculates relative elasticity moduli of the pathological area compared to the adjacent (reference) zone, generating a color-coded tissue stiffness elastogram.

How to combat signal deficiency in MRI of small finger joints?

Saline bags or specialized coils are used, and slice thickness is reduced to produce a contiguous, gapless data set.

Why are gradient sequences more susceptible to susceptibility artifacts?

This occurs because gradient sequences lack the 180-degree refocusing radiofrequency pulse that compensates for local magnetic field inhomogeneities in standard spin-echo sequences.

What specific radiological signs are characteristic of adhesive capsulitis?

Arthrography reveals a decrease in total joint volume, adhesion formation, a retracted axillary and reduced subcoracoid recess, as well as blockade of the biceps tendon sheath.

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