Mnemonics

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.