Learning objectives
Using real radiological cases,
across multiple modalities that have presented at our hospital we aim to review radiological signs that have been inspired by human anatomy mimics.
Explaining each sign,
its radiologic appearances and background we aim to provide an accessible learning opportunity and an enjoyable review of these common radiologic signs and presentations.
Background
Pattern recognition is a critical skill in radiology and an often-used tool in training and education.
This usually involves regognition of a pattern of appearances related to the physiological and anatomical changes of the process being imaged.
However,
visual patterns can also be perceived within an image which are not actually presentdue to the human tendancy to create patterns from random or unrelated stimuli.
This process is termed 'Pareidolia' [1].
Paredolia results in association of abstract or complex imaging findings with an easily memorable 'sign'....
Findings and procedure details
Neurological
Molar Tooth
In Joubert Syndrome,
a rare autosomal-recessive disorder of brain development,
the main imaging findings are partial or complete absence of the cerebellar vermis,
hypoplastic cerebellar peduncles and fourth ventricle deformity.
The hypoplasia of the cerebellar peduncles results in a molar tooth sign of the mid-brain as seen in Figure 1 (3).
The molar tooth sign however is not specific to JR and has been described in Varadi-Papp syndrome,
Malta Syndrome,
Senior-Loken syndrome and COACH syndrome (4).
Dawsons Fingers
Multiple sclerosis is a...
Conclusion
Pattern recognition in radiology is a crucial skill and enables radiologists to make diagnoses radiologic appearances.
Presenting a collection of these signs that have been inspired by human anatomy mimics provides an accessible learning opportunity and enjoyable review for even the most experienced radiologist.
References
Foye,
Patrick,
Dena Abdelshahed,
and Shounuck Patel.
2014.
“Musculoskeletal Pareidolia in Medical Education.” The Clinical Teacher 11 (4): 251–53
Baker SR,
Noorelahi YM,
Ghosh S,
Yang LC,
Kasper DJ.
History of metaphoric signs in radiology.
Eur J Radiol.
2013 Sep;82(9):1584-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2013.04.005.
Epub 2013 May 16.
PubMed PMID: 23684947
Nag,
C et al.
“Joubert syndrome: the molar tooth sign of the mid-brain” Annals of medical and health sciences research vol.
3,2 (2013): 291-4
Brancati F,
Dallapiccola B,
Valente EM.
Joubert Syndrome and related disorders.
Orphanet...