Mnemonics have commonly been used as a learning tool in Medicine and have been advocated throughout history.
They function as prompts and enable recalling of detailed information through remembering simple phrases.
Systematic organisation of information in this way can aid radiology trainees in effective information recall,
particularly in an exam setting.
In addition,
a broad knowledge base is required in radiology and mnemonics can act as a useful reminder in the consideration of differentials for all radiology doctors on a day to day basis.
High yield mnemonics with graphic and multimodal illustration including as follows:
1. Diffuse periosteal reaction in a child: CATNIP [1] (Fig.
1)
C Caffey Disease
A Arthritis (juvenile idiopathic)
T Tumour
N Normal (physiological)
I Infection
P Prostaglandin therapy
2. Vertebra Plana: I MELT [2] (Fig.
2)
I Infection
M Metastases (e.g.
neuroblastoma)
E Eosinophilic granuloma (LCH)
L Leukaemia
T Trauma
3. Neonatal causes of low bowel obstruction: HAM [1] (Fig.
3-6)
H Hirschsprung disease
A Atresia (ileal/colonic/anal)
M Meconium Ileus & meconium plug syndrome
4. Causes of posterior vertebral body scalloping: SALMON[1] (Fig.
7)
S Spinal cord tumour
A Achondroplasia/Acromegaly
(L)
M Marfan’s syndrome/Morquio syndrome
O Osteogenesis imperfecta
N Neurofibromatosis type 1
5. Features of tuberous sclerosis: CDEFGH [5] (Fig.
8)
C Cysts (Renal cysts and renal angiomyolipomas)
D Decreased IQ
E Epilepsy
F Facial angiofibromas
G Giant cell astrocytoma (and subependymal hamartomas)
H Haemartomatous rectal polyps
Hypopigmented macules (Ash leaf spots)
6. Multiple wormian bones: PORKCHOPS [3] (Fig.
9)
P Pyknodysostosis
O Osteogenesis imperfecta
R Rickets
K Kinky hair syndrome
C Cleidocranial dysplasia
H Hypothyroidism/hypophosphataemia
O Otopalatodigital syndrome
P Primary acroosteolysis (Hajdu-Cheney)/pachydermoperiostosis
S Syndrome of Downs
7. Tibial bowing: BLOUNTS RAN OFF [5]
Blount’s Syndrome
R Rickets
A Achondroplasia
N Neurofibromatosis
O Osteogenesis imperfecta
F Fibrous dysplasia
F Fibular hemimelia
8. Gracile bones: NIMROD [2] (Fig.
10)
N Neurofibromatosis
I Immobilisation
M Muscular dystrophy
R Rheumatoid arthritis
O Osteogenesis imperfecta
D Dysplasias
9. Erlenmeyer Flask Deformity: Flask OF GOATS [5] (Fig.
11)
O Osteopetrosis
F Fibrous dysplasia
G Gaucher disease
O Ollier disease
A Achondroplasia
T Thalassaemia
S Sickle cell disease
10. Risk factors for Intussusception: HELP ME [5]
H Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP)
E Ectopic pancreas
L Lymphoma
P Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS)
M Meckel’s diverticulum
E Enteric duplication cyst
11. Causes of obstruction in childhood: AAIIMM [3]
A Appendictis
A Adhesions
I Incarcerated hernia/IBD stricture
I Intussusception
M Meckel’s diverticulum
M Malrotation/Midgut volvulus
12. Bone in bone appearance: GHOST DRAGON [4] (Fig.
12)
G Growth arrest lines
H Heavy metal,
hypoparathyroidism,
hypothyroidism
O Osteopetrosis
S Sickle cell anaemia,
scurvy,
syphilis
T Thalassaemia,
tuberculosis
D Disease of Caffey,
hypervitaminosis D
R Rickets,
radiation therapy
A Acromegaly
G Gaucher disease
O Oxalosis
N Normal (thoracic/lumar vertebrae in infants)
13. Paediatric chest wall mass: LEARN - adapted from [2]
L Lymphoma mets
E Ewings
A Askin tumour/PNET
R Rhabdomyosarcoma
N Neuroblastoma
14. Adrenal mass: NAP [2]
N Neuroblastoma
A Adrenal haemorrhage/Adrenocortical carcinoma
P Phaeochromocytoma
15. J-shaped sella: CONMAN [3]
C Chronic hydrocephalus
O Optic chiasm glioma,
osteogenesis imperfecta
N Neurofibromatosis
M Mucopolysaccharidoses
A Achondroplasia
N Normal variant
16. Parasellar lesion: SATCHMO [3] (Fig.
13)
S Sella neoplasm/sarcoidosis
A Aneurysm/Arachnoid cyst
T Teratoma
C Craniopharyngioma/Chordoma
H Hypothalamic glioma/Histiocytoma/Hamartoma
M Metastatic disease,
Meningioma
O Optic nerve glioma
17. Basal ganglia calcification: BIRTH [3]
Prevalence 1-1.6% in children.
B Birth anoxia
I Idiopathic (most common)/infarct
R Radiation therapy
T Toxoplasmosis/CMV
H Hypoparathyroidism/pseudohypoparathyroidism
18. Hair-on-end appearance: HI NEST [3] (Fig.
14)
H Hereditary spherocytosis
I Iron deficiency anaemia
N Neuroblastoma
E Enzyme deficiency -G6PDD causes haemolytic anaemia
S Sickle cell disease
T Thalassaemia major
19. Opacification of hemithorax: FAT CHANCE [3]
F Foreign body
A Adenomatoid malformation
T Trauma (i.e.
haematoma)
C Collapse/cardiomegaly
H Hernia
A Agenesis of the lung
N Neoplasm
C Consolidation
E Effusion
20. Cyanotic heart disease with oligaemia: TAPE [5]
T Tetralogy of fallot (TOF),
Tricuspid atresia with pulmonary stenosis/
Transposition of the great arteries with pulmonary stenosis
A ASD with pulmonary stenosis
P Pulmonary atresia
E Ebstein anomaly (Fig.
15)