Non-Tumorous Diseases of the Sternum and Its Articulations: At the Front Gate of the Chest.

Abnormalities of the sternal and peri-sternal regions are commonly seen in clinical practice and may be one of the important causes of chest pain particularly anterior chest wall pain. While reading computed tomography (CT) of the chest for evaluation of chest pain, the sternal region is either easily overlooked or its abnormality is often detected incidentally. This article will provide an overview of normal sternal anatomy and congenital variants as well as a variety of non-tumorous pathologic conditions of the sternum and adjacent joints, with emphasis on CT, to help radiologists, particularly thoracic radiologists, to make an accurate diagnosis in their daily practice. Non-tumorous abnormalities include trauma (fractures and dislocations), infection (osteomyelitis, septic arthritis), degenerative (osteoarthritis) and inflammatory conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative arthritides), and metabolic disorders (Paget's disease and renal osteodystrophy) as well as treatment related changes such as poststernotomy and its complications (dehiscence, nonunion) and postradiation changes of the sternum.

Evaluating Fallopian Tube Patency: What the Radiologist Needs to Know.

Impaired tubal patency accounts for up to 35% of cases of subfertility and infertility. Hysterosalpingography (HSG) or hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy) represents a first-line test in evaluating fallopian tube patency. Despite the association of HSG with ionizing radiation, HSG is a reference standard in assessing fallopian tube patency and tubal conditions such as tubal occlusion, salpingitis isthmica nodosa, and hydrosalpinx. HSG is widely available and utilizes either a water-soluble contrast medium (WSCM) or an oil-soluble contrast medium (OSCM). Compared with WSCM, HSG with OSCM results in a higher incidence of non-in vitro fertilization pregnancies and, therefore, may be preferred in women younger than 38 years with unexplained subfertility. HSG may also be helpful in assessment after sterilization or before fallopian tube recanalization. US-based tubal tests are free of ionizing radiation and include HyCoSy, with either air-saline or microbubble US contrast material, and hysterosalpingo-foam sonography (HyFoSy), a tubal patency test that utilizes a gel foam. A comprehensive US infertility evaluation of the pelvis and fallopian tubes can be achieved in one setting by adding coronal three-dimensional imaging of the uterus, saline infusion sonohysterography, and HyCoSy or HyFoSy to routine pelvic US. MR HSG and virtual CT HSG also depict tubal patency and uterine and adnexal pathologic conditions and may be considered in select patients. While laparoscopic chromopertubation remains the standard for tubal patency evaluation, its disadvantages are its invasiveness and cost. Knowledge of the different fallopian tube tests and radiologic appearance of normal and abnormal fallopian tubes results in fewer pitfalls, accurate interpretation, and optimal patient care. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2021.