Accordion Sign

Accordion Sign

Imaging A crumpling of 2 distinct radiologic densities with periodicity
Emergency imaging Compression and medial displacement of a calcified splenic artery, which, when seen on the plain abdominal film of trauma victims, has been fancifully likened to an accordion and is suggestive of splenic rupture or hematoma formation
GI imaging A finding in upper GI contrast studies of advanced progressive systemic sclerosis, where the jejunum is dilated and foreshortened with mural fibrosis and the valvulae conniventes are of normal thickness, imparting a corrugated appearance in the contrast column
A finding by CT in pseudomembranous colitis in which contrast is trapped between colonic folds—valvulae conniventes—thickened by submucosal oedema, especially in Clostridium difficile colitis
Paediatrics Crumpling and shortening of long bones, especially the femur, seen in type II osteogenesis imperfecta, a disease accompanied by low birth weight, beading of the ribs, and early death due to respiratory insufficiency resulting from a defective thoracic cage, softened skull, and fragile skin with defective type I collagen; heredity is variable, affects 1:60,000 live births; 12 are stillborn