Radiology Spotters Collection

Radiology Signs

The Radiology signs collection on RadioGyan is a high‑yield, searchable library of classic and contemporary imaging signs designed for rapid pattern recognition, streamlined reporting, and exam‑ready learning across modalities and subspecialties. Built for residents, fellows, and attendings, it links hallmark appearances to practical differentials, pitfalls, and clinical relevance to accelerate diagnosis in daily practice. Some of the cases have images while some don’t. I am updating these. Feel free to contribute images. The are arranged in the order they are posted. You can also check out the alphabetical list of radiological signs below.

Bare Orbit Sign | Radiology Signs

Three Territory sign | Radiology Signs

Fallen fragment sign | Radiology Signs

Target calcification | Radiology Signs

String-of-beads sign | Radiology Signs

Popcorn Appearance | Radiology Signs

Continuous diaphragm sign | Radiology Signs

Lemon Sign | Radiology Signs

Absent bow-tie sign | Radiology Signs

Hampton’s Line | Radiology Signs

Vacuum disk sign | Radiology Signs

Shaggy esophagus | Radiology Signs

Cortical ring sign | Radiology Signs

Abdominal Cocoon Sign | Radiology Signs

Black hole sign | Radiology Signs

Ring sign | Radiology Signs

Axial and sagittal CT images showing an umbilical nodule and widespread abdominal and pelvic carcinomatosis.

Sister Mary Joseph sign | Radiology Signs

Drooping shoulder sign | Radiology Signs

Lead Pipe Fracture | Radiology Signs

Hamburger bun sign | Radiology Signs

Boxcar ventricles | Radiology Signs

Water lily sign | Radiology Signs

Bat-wing Appearance | Radiology Signs

Tubular artery sign | Radiology Signs

Bamboo spine | Radiology Signs

Kidney bean sign | Radiology Signs

Bulging fissure sign | Radiology Signs

Saber sheath trachea | Radiology Signs

Spotted nephrogram | Radiology Signs

X-ray of the right hand showing erosive changes in the interphalangeal joints and polydactyly of the thumb.

Gullwing appearance | Radiology Signs

Linguine sign | Radiology Signs

String-of-Pearls Sign | Radiology Signs

Golf-ball-on-a-tee sign | Radiology Signs

Nuclear medicine scan showing increased radiotracer uptake in the nasopharynx, consistent with the hot nose sign.

Hot Nose sign | Radiology Signs

Drooping lily sign | Radiology Signs

Corkscrew sign | Radiology Signs

Box-shaped heart | Radiology Signs

Dripping Candle Wax Sign | Radiology Signs

Pulmonary embolism diagnosis : Hampton Hump

Hampton’s hump | Radiology Signs

CT angiogram sign | Radiology Signs

Pear-shaped Bladder | Radiology Signs

Trough sign | Radiology Signs

Osteogenic Sarcoma Distal Femur With Codman’s Triangle Radiology Case

Codman’s triangle | Radiology Signs

Sagittal ultrasound image of the uterus showing a complete molar pregnancy with hydropic villi.

Snowstorm appearance | Radiology Signs

Threads and streaks sign | Radiology Signs

Apple core sign | Radiology Signs

Popcorn Calcification | Radiology Signs

Rat bite sign | Radiology Signs

Ghost vertebrae | Radiology Signs

CT scan showing small bowel feces sign and an adhesion in a patient with bowel obstruction

Small bowel feces sign | Radiology Signs

Radiograph showing osteopetrosis marble bone disease Albers-Schönberg disease interesting radiology case

Erlenmeyer flask deformity | Radiology Signs

Coronavirus radiology CT imaging features atoll sign reverse halo sign

Reversed Halo Sign | Radiology Signs

Abdominal X-rays showing Rigler's sign, indicating pneumoperitoneum with air on both sides of bowel walls.

Rigler’s sign | Radiology Signs

Pad sign | Radiology Signs

Mickey Mouse pelvis | Radiology Signs

Ivory vertebra | Radiology Signs

Coronal CT scan showing dilated common bile duct and pancreatic duct, indicating a double duct sign.

Double Duct sign | Radiology Signs

Phantom Calyx Sign | Radiology Signs

Comet sign | Radiology Signs

Collar button ulcer | Radiology Signs

Silhouette Sign | Radiology Signs

Onion-skin periosteal reaction | Radiology Signs

String sign | Radiology Signs

Hatchet head | Radiology Signs

Pyloric Tit sign | Radiology Signs

Sandwich vertebra | Radiology Signs

Chest X-ray and CT scans showing finger-in-glove appearance in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)

Gloved finger sign | Radiology Signs

Scimitar sign | Radiology Signs

Black pleural line | Radiology Signs

Puckered Panniculus Sign | Radiology Signs

Gooseneck sign | Radiology Signs

Carman Meniscus Sign | Radiology Signs

Right John Thomas Sign/ Thockmorton sign in a patient with Right Osteomyelitis

John Thomas Sign / Thockmorton Sign | Radiology Signs

Polka Dot sign | Radiology Signs

Celery stalking | Radiology Signs

Upside down stomach sign | Radiology Signs

Reverse hamburger bun sign | Radiology Signs

AP radiograph of the distal femur and MRI images show a geographic lesion with cortical destruction and soft tissue component in keeping with an osteogenic sarcoma

Sunburst periosteal reaction | Radiology Signs

Double PCL Sign–Bucket Handle Tear MRI

Bucket handle tear | Radiology Signs

Insertional Calcific Tendinitis Involving Achilles Tendon and Haglund deformity.

Haglund’s deformity | Radiology Signs

Laminated periosteal reaction | Radiology Signs

Boot-shaped heart | Radiology Signs

Misty Mesentery ( Sclerosing Mesenteritis )

Misty mesentery sign | Radiology Signs

Supracondylar Fracture Humerus – Positive Fat Pad Sign And Displaced Anterior Humeral Line Radiology Case

Fat pad sign | Radiology Signs

Maiden waist deformity | Radiology Signs

Picket Fence Appearance | Radiology Signs

Licked candy stick appearance | Radiology Signs

Vacuum Joint | Radiology Signs

Soft tissue rim sign | Radiology Signs

Hot-cross bun sign | Radiology Signs

Hide-bound appearance | Radiology Signs

Colon cut-off sign | Radiology Signs

Pencil in Cup Deformity | Radiology Signs

Lateral femoral notch sign lateral radiograph

Lateral Femoral Notch Sign | Radiology Signs

Sarcoidosis Chest Radiograph showing garland sign pawnbroker sign and 1-2-3 sign

Pawnbroker’s sign | Radiology Signs

Thumbprinting of colon on abdominal radiograph due to colitis

Thumbprinting | Radiology Signs

Picture Frame Vertebral Body | Radiology Signs

CT of insular ribbon sign

Insular ribbon sign | Radiology Signs

Terry Thomas Sign Scapholunate dislocation

Terry Thomas Sign | Radiology Signs

Hamburger bun sign | Radiology Signs

Overview

Curated, image‑first explainers standardize how signs are recognized and reported across X‑ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine. Each entry is concise yet comprehensive, balancing quick reference utility with the depth expected by medical professionals.

Clinical relevance

Radiologic signs translate visual patterns into shared clinical language, improving communication, triage, and decision‑making across multidisciplinary teams. Consistent use enhances board preparation, viva performance, and structured reporting by anchoring observations to well‑defined entities.

What’s inside

Entries follow a consistent blueprint: definition, imaging appearance, key differentials, common pitfalls, and diagnostic pearls. Coverage spans thoracic, abdominal, MSK, neuroradiology, and GU/GYN systems, emphasizing entities frequently encountered on call and in assessments.

How to use

Integrate sign pages into rotation‑specific study plans and point‑of‑care lookups during case review to narrow differentials and refine report language. Pair with mnemonics and case discussions on RadioGyan to build durable pattern recognition and reinforce clinical application.

Alphabetical List of Radiology Signs

Abdominal Cocoon Sign | Radiology Signs

Absent bow-tie sign | Radiology Signs

Aspergilloma With Fibro-Cavitary Changes In The Left Upper Lobe showing Air Crescent sign

Air Crescent Sign | Radiology Signs

Apple core sign | Radiology Signs

Bamboo spine | Radiology Signs

Bare Orbit Sign | Radiology Signs

Bat-wing Appearance | Radiology Signs

Black hole sign | Radiology Signs

Black pleural line | Radiology Signs

Boot-shaped heart | Radiology Signs

Box-shaped heart | Radiology Signs

Boxcar ventricles | Radiology Signs

Brim sign | Radiology Signs

Double PCL Sign–Bucket Handle Tear MRI

Bucket handle tear | Radiology Signs

Bulging fissure sign | Radiology Signs

Carman Meniscus Sign | Radiology Signs

Celery stalking | Radiology Signs

Osteogenic Sarcoma Distal Femur With Codman’s Triangle Radiology Case

Codman’s triangle | Radiology Signs

Collar button ulcer | Radiology Signs

Colon cut-off sign | Radiology Signs

Comet sign | Radiology Signs

Comet tail sign | Radiology Signs

Continuous diaphragm sign | Radiology Signs

Corkscrew sign | Radiology Signs

Cortical ring sign | Radiology Signs

CT angiogram sign | Radiology Signs

Deep lateral femoral notch | Radiology Signs

Axial non-contrast CT of the brain demonstrates hyperdense left MCA.

Dense MCA sign | Radiology Signs

Coronal CT scan showing dilated common bile duct and pancreatic duct, indicating a double duct sign.

Double Duct sign | Radiology Signs

Dripping Candle Wax Sign | Radiology Signs

Drooping lily sign | Radiology Signs

Drooping shoulder sign | Radiology Signs

Radiograph showing osteopetrosis marble bone disease Albers-Schönberg disease interesting radiology case

Erlenmeyer flask deformity | Radiology Signs

Fallen fragment sign | Radiology Signs

Supracondylar Fracture Humerus – Positive Fat Pad Sign And Displaced Anterior Humeral Line Radiology Case

Fat pad sign | Radiology Signs

Feline Esophagus Barium esophagogram in patient with gastroesophageal reflux

Feline esophagus | Radiology Signs

Ghost vertebrae | Radiology Signs

Chest X-ray and CT scans showing finger-in-glove appearance in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)

Gloved finger sign | Radiology Signs

Goblet sign | Radiology Signs

AP chest radiograph demonstrates right upper lobe collapse with an associated hilar mass forming the "Golden S" sign.

Golden’s S sign | Radiology Signs

Golf-ball-on-a-tee sign | Radiology Signs

Gooseneck sign | Radiology Signs

X-ray of the right hand showing erosive changes in the interphalangeal joints and polydactyly of the thumb.

Gullwing appearance | Radiology Signs

Insertional Calcific Tendinitis Involving Achilles Tendon and Haglund deformity.

Haglund’s deformity | Radiology Signs

Hamburger bun sign | Radiology Signs

Hamburger bun sign | Radiology Signs

Pulmonary embolism diagnosis : Hampton Hump

Hampton’s hump | Radiology Signs

Hampton’s Line | Radiology Signs

Hatchet head | Radiology Signs

Hide-bound appearance | Radiology Signs

Nuclear medicine scan showing increased radiotracer uptake in the nasopharynx, consistent with the hot nose sign.

Hot Nose sign | Radiology Signs

Hot quadrate lobe sign focal hepatic hot spot in SVC obstruction on CT

Hot Quadrate Lobe Sign

Hot-cross bun sign | Radiology Signs

CT of insular ribbon sign

Insular ribbon sign | Radiology Signs

Ivory vertebra | Radiology Signs

Right John Thomas Sign/ Thockmorton sign in a patient with Right Osteomyelitis

John Thomas Sign / Thockmorton Sign | Radiology Signs

Kidney bean sign | Radiology Signs

Laminated periosteal reaction | Radiology Signs

Lateral femoral notch sign lateral radiograph

Lateral Femoral Notch Sign | Radiology Signs

Lead Pipe Fracture | Radiology Signs

Lemon Sign | Radiology Signs

Licked candy stick appearance | Radiology Signs

Linguine sign | Radiology Signs

PA chest radiograph demonstrates a large opacity in the left upper lobe with associated superior mediastinal shift to the right and a crescent of lucency between the opacity and the mediastinum, representing the Luftsichel sign.

Luftsichel sign | Radiology Signs

Maiden waist deformity | Radiology Signs

Mickey Mouse pelvis | Radiology Signs

Misty Mesentery ( Sclerosing Mesenteritis )

Misty mesentery sign | Radiology Signs

Napoleon hat sign | Radiology Signs

Onion-skin periosteal reaction | Radiology Signs

Pad sign | Radiology Signs

Sarcoidosis Chest Radiograph showing garland sign pawnbroker sign and 1-2-3 sign

Pawnbroker’s sign | Radiology Signs

Pear-shaped Bladder | Radiology Signs

Pencil in Cup Deformity | Radiology Signs

Pencil-in Cup sign | Radiology Signs

Phantom Calyx Sign | Radiology Signs

Picket Fence Appearance | Radiology Signs

Picture Frame Vertebral Body | Radiology Signs

Polka Dot sign | Radiology Signs

Popcorn Appearance | Radiology Signs

Popcorn Calcification | Radiology Signs

Puckered Panniculus Sign | Radiology Signs

Pyloric Tit sign | Radiology Signs

Rat bite sign | Radiology Signs

Reverse hamburger bun sign | Radiology Signs

Coronavirus radiology CT imaging features atoll sign reverse halo sign

Reversed Halo Sign | Radiology Signs

Abdominal X-rays showing Rigler's sign, indicating pneumoperitoneum with air on both sides of bowel walls.

Rigler’s sign | Radiology Signs

Ring sign | Radiology Signs

Saber sheath trachea | Radiology Signs

Sandwich vertebra | Radiology Signs

Scimitar sign | Radiology Signs

Shaggy esophagus | Radiology Signs

Silhouette Sign | Radiology Signs

Axial and sagittal CT images showing an umbilical nodule and widespread abdominal and pelvic carcinomatosis.

Sister Mary Joseph sign | Radiology Signs

CT scan showing small bowel feces sign and an adhesion in a patient with bowel obstruction

Small bowel feces sign | Radiology Signs

Sagittal ultrasound image of the uterus showing a complete molar pregnancy with hydropic villi.

Snowstorm appearance | Radiology Signs

Soft tissue rim sign | Radiology Signs

Spotted nephrogram | Radiology Signs

String sign | Radiology Signs

String-of-beads sign | Radiology Signs

String-of-Pearls Sign | Radiology Signs

Stripe sign | Radiology Signs

AP radiograph of the distal femur and MRI images show a geographic lesion with cortical destruction and soft tissue component in keeping with an osteogenic sarcoma

Sunburst periosteal reaction | Radiology Signs

Target calcification | Radiology Signs

Terry Thomas Sign Scapholunate dislocation

Terry Thomas Sign | Radiology Signs

Threads and streaks sign | Radiology Signs

Three Territory sign | Radiology Signs

Thumbprinting of colon on abdominal radiograph due to colitis

Thumbprinting | Radiology Signs

Trough sign | Radiology Signs

Tubular artery sign | Radiology Signs

Upside down stomach sign | Radiology Signs

Vacuum disk sign | Radiology Signs

Vacuum Joint | Radiology Signs

Virchow's nodes and Troisier sign

Virchow’s Nodes and Troisier Sign | Radiology Capsule

Water lily sign | Radiology Signs

This page was last updated on Sep 13, 2025 @ 12:11 pm

About the Author


Dr. Amar Udare, MD, DNB

Dr Amar Udare Dr. Amar Udare is a board-certified radiologist (MD,DNB) with over 10 years of experience and a special interest in body imaging. He currently serves as a Clinical Associate Professor in Diagnostic Imaging (Radiology) at the University of Calgary . With a passion for teaching, he has been a semi-finalist for the Aunt-Minnie Most effective Radiology Educator Awards in 2018 and 2020.

Dr. Udare holds an MBBS and MD degree, and his expertise lies in the field of radiology. He has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications, contributing significantly to the medical field. His works can be accessed on PubMed and Google Scholar.

In addition to his academic and professional achievements, Dr. Udare is an avid reader and enjoys exploring the latest advancements in medical technology. His commitment to making complex medical knowledge accessible to patients and the general public aligns with our mission at RadioGyan.com.

For any further questions or clarifications, feel free to reach out to Dr. Udare via the contact form.

 

Wish to be a BETTER Radiologist? Join 15000 Radiology Colleagues !

Enter your email address below to access HIGH YIELD radiology content, updates, and resources.

Email Newsletter Subscription Pop Up

No spam, only VALUE! Unsubscribe anytime with a single click.

Scroll to Top