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Mnemonics

This category contains 22 posts

Causes of Avascular Necrosis (AVN) Mnemonic

There are numerous causes of avascular necrosis (AVN), which is at its most basic definition when blood flow to a bone is interrupted or reduced. Numerous mnemonics have been proposed to remember the many causes of AVN. My favorite is probably GIVE INFARCTS:     GIVE INFARCTS ·       G- Gaucher disease ·       I- Idiopathic- Legg-Calve Perthes ·       … Continue reading

Contrast Enhancing Mediastinal Mass Mnemonic – CAPT CAPT

This mnemonic is commonly used to recall the differential diagnosis for contrast enhancing mediastinal masses: CAPT CAPT C – Carcinoid tumor A – Aneurysm P – Paraganglioma T – Thyroid C – Castleman A – Anuerysm (I know, its mentioned twice because you definitely don’t want to miss this one) P – Parathyroid T – … Continue reading

Gracile Bones Mnemonic – NIMROD

This mnemonic has been commonly used to recall the differential diagnosis for gracile bones – NIMROD N – Neurofibromatosis I – Immobilization (Paralysis) M – Muscular Dystrophy R – Rheumatoid Arthritis O – Osteogenesis Imperfecta (click the link or see below) D – Dysplasias (Marfan’s syndrome, Homocystinuria)

Tendons of the Pes Anserinus Mnemonic

This mnemonic has been commonly used to recall the tendons of the pes anserinus (which means “gooses foot” in Latin): “Say Grace before Tea” S – Sartorius G – Gracillis T – Semitendinosus Learn about pes anserine bursitis here. Briefly, pes anserine bursitis is a condition of inflammation around the medial knee which usually presents with … Continue reading

Acroosteolysis Differential Diagnosis Mnemonic – PINCH FOV

This mnemonic has been commonly used to recall the differential diagnosis of acroosteolysis: P – Pycnodysostosis I – Injury (such as frost bite, burns, electrical) N – Neuropathy (such as congenital insensitivity to pain, Leprosy, diabetes, or other causes) C – Collagen vascular diseases (Scleroderma) H – Hyperparathyroidism F – Familial (Hadju-Cheyney) O – Other … Continue reading

Chondrocalcinosis Mnemonic – WHIP A DOG

This mnemonic has been commonly used to recall the differential diagnosis of chondrocalcinosis, the most common cause of which is pseudogout (calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease). W – Wilson disease H – hyperparathyroidism, hemophilia, hemochromatosis I – idiopathic P – pseudogout A – acromegaly D – diabetes O – ochronosis G – gout 

Charcot Joint Mnemonic – The 6 D’s of a Charcot Joint

This mnemonic has been used commonly to recall the features of Charcot Joints (sometimes it is referred to as 5 Ds instead of 6 Ds because dislocation and disorganization are combined): 1. Distended 2. Disorganized 3. Dislocated 4. Debris (intraarticular bodies, which can be seen with synovial osteochondramotosis) 5. increased Density (sclerosis) 6. Destruction See … Continue reading

Osteoarthritis versus Rheumatoid Arthritis Mnemonics – LOSS vs. LESS

These mnemonics have been commonly used to recall the differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: For osteoarthritis (also referred to as osteoarthrosis) L – loss of joint space O – osteophytes S – subchondral sclerosis S – subchondral cysts L – loss of joint space E – erosions S – soft tissue swelling S – … Continue reading

Honeycomb Lung Mnemonic – BIG HIPS

This mnemonic has been commonly used to recall the causes of honeycomb lung: BIG HIPS B – Bleomycin I – Idiopathic (see this case of UIP) G – Granulomas H – Histiocytosis X (or Langerhans cell histiocytosis or eosinophilic granuloma) I – Interstitial Pneumonia P – Pneumoconiosis S – Sarcoidosis Adapted from here.

Cardiophrenic Angle Mass Mnemonic – FAT PAD

This mnemonic has been commonly used to recall the differential diagnosis of a cardiophrenic angle mass: Fat PAD F – Fat P – Pericardial Cyst A – Adenopathy (lymph nodes), Aneurysm D – Diaphragmatic hernia See a Bochdalek Hernia here.