Informatics in Radiology (infoRAD): album of radiologic signs: a useful tool for training in radiologic semiology.

The importance of radiologic semiology can be seen from the large number of articles, books, and Web pages dealing with radiologic signs. Recognition of these signs forms an important part of the training process for radiologists. Computer-assisted instruction complements traditional techniques for teaching radiology and provides an appropriate method of collecting, organizing, and presenting radiologic signs. A computer application that includes more than 350 radiologic signs has been created with Microsoft PowerPoint (version 2002 for Windows). The user can navigate freely to see the signs from a menu that provides access according to anatomic region or from an interactive dictionary that includes 779 terms. From the presentation of each sign, the user can access one or more representative images, information about the examination wherein the sign appears, an explanation of the meaning of the sign and the corresponding diagnosis, additional comparative images (pathologic or normal), and relevant references. This album of radiologic signs is a useful tool for training in radiologic semiology and also allows a quick consultation based on the name of the sign. Although designed for interns and residents, it will also be useful in pregraduate teaching of radiology, as a reference, and in continuing medical education.