String sign
String Sign
String sign (/striNG sīn/), also known as the ribbon sign or thread sign, is a medical term used in radiology and gastroenterology to describe a specific imaging finding. The term originates from the visual resemblance of the imaging finding to a string or thread.
Etymology
The term "string sign" is derived from the visual appearance of the imaging finding. In radiographic images, the affected area appears thin and elongated, similar to a string or thread. The term was first used in the mid-20th century.
Definition
In medical imaging, the string sign is a finding seen on a barium swallow or upper gastrointestinal series (UGI). It is characterized by a thin, string-like appearance of the small intestine due to severe narrowing (stenosis) of the lumen. This can be caused by various conditions, including Crohn's disease, intestinal tuberculosis, and hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in infants.
Related Terms
- Barium swallow: A diagnostic test in which X-rays are taken of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestines after the patient swallows a barium solution.
- Upper gastrointestinal series (UGI): A series of X-rays taken of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestines after the patient swallows a barium solution.
- Crohn's disease: A type of inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, often causing narrowing of the intestines.
- Intestinal tuberculosis: A form of tuberculosis that affects the intestines, often causing narrowing and other abnormalities.
- Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: A condition in infants where the opening from the stomach into the small intestine (the pylorus) becomes narrowed, often causing vomiting and other symptoms.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on String sign
- Wikipedia's article - String sign
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski