The art and science of straight lines in radiology.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to review the physical basis for straight radiographic lines, identify the possible components that may form a straight line interface in the body, provide illustrative examples across multiple organ systems and modalities, and explore how the detection of these interfaces can support specific diagnoses.


CONCLUSIONS
Detection of a straight line interface can help the radiologist recognize otherwise difficult or subtle pathologic processes, and identification of its components can provide valuable clues to diagnosis.
Division of Emergency Radiology, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA 02115, USA. cday3@partners.org
Cynthia M
CM
Day
Aaron
A
Sodickson
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000032:analysis; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases / Q000032:analysis; D006400:Hematocrit; D006551:Hernia, Hiatal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D022125:Lacerations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055370:Lung Injury / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011026:Pneumopericardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D013492:Suppuration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D003287:Contrast Media; D005740:Gases