Scottie dog  

In a 45-degree oblique view of a lumbar spine X-ray, one may see the “Scottie dog” sign. The Scottie dog sign is referenced when attempting to identify spondylolysis in which the “collar” of the dog may show a fracture of the pars interarticularis. Having a fair amount of rotational scoliosis myself, I believe an intact Scottie dog can be viewed on my personal X-ray in the posterior-anterior angle rather than the normal oblique view. Additionally, with my lateral curvatures, my “dog” is tilting slightly inferior, resembling the forward angle of a dog’s positioning when running or prancing.  

Learning art and creativity from my mom and philosophy and physics from my dad, I love uncovering unseeming patterns and connections in my day to day. Similarly in this art piece, I’m reminded that studying medicine isn’t just a textbook to memorize, but rather developed upon scientific structure and biologic patterns. Sometimes you just have to view things from another angle to see something new. My spinal curvatures serve as a literal reminder that life is all about perspective!  

Anatomic features equate the transverse process to the dog’s nose, the pedicle as the dog’s eye, and the inferior articular facet as the dog’s legs, to name a few. When looking at the artistic rendition of the dog in the image, you can compare these parts of the vertebrae to the radiologic vertebrae above and below the dog.  

This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.