Facial injury patterns in victims of intimate partner violence

Maxillofacial Trauma in Females: A Retrospective Study

Maxillofacial trauma in females is not widely reported. This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and the patterns of maxillofacial injuries in females and to determine the differences in these patterns among different causes. This retrospective study analyzed several variables, including demographic, social, injury-related, and treatment-related variables, and compared these variables in relation to the main etiologies of maxillofacial trauma. The main etiologies of maxillofacial injuries involving females were assault, followed by road traffic accidents, and falls. There were significant differences in relation to the 3 etiologies in age groups (P= 0.002) and marital status (P< 0.0001). There were significantly more soft tissue injuries in the assault group compared with the other groups (P= 0.007). Associated injuries were significantly more with injuries caused by road traffic accidents (P= 0.0009). Most females were victims of assault and violence. There were significant differences in relation to the etiology of trauma in terms of age groups, marital status, types of injury, and associated injuries. Most of the assaults were due to domestic violence.

Intimate partner violence: An updated review of prevalence, identification, and screening tools for orthopaedic surgeons and training in medical education

Intimate partner violence is an overlooked, underestimated, and under reported cause of musculoskeletal injury. This literature review aims to provide an updated overview of the prevalence of IPV, along with the identification and screening tools available to orthopaedic surgeons for early detection and intervention. Additionally, the review discusses the importance of training in medical education for orthopaedic surgeons to effectively recognize and address IPV. Through an analysis of current research and best practices, this review highlights the need for increased awareness, education, and collaboration among healthcare professionals to effectively address IPV as a public health issue.

Fracture variation in survivable versus fatal blunt force trauma associated with intimate partner violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global human rights issue that affects approximately 25% of women and 10% of men and is the leading cause of homicides of women worldwide. Multiple interventional studies have been conducted to screen for IPV; however, fractures associated with intimate partner homicide (IPH) have not been studied from a forensic anthropological perspective. Therefore, this study uses computed tomography scans of IPH victims (n=33) obtained from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator to 1) classify and quantify perimortem craniofacial blunt force fractures, and 2) compare the IPH-related fractures to those associated with non-lethal IPV using previously published studies. The results indicate that IPH cases presented similarly to non-lethal IPV cases in that they were concentrated on the middle and lower face, but fractures were more frequent in the upper face and cranial vault in IPH cases. While IPH cases showed more fractures, they were not necessarily associated with extensive fracturing, as 75.8% of IPH victims had five or fewer fractures-the most common being comminuted and linear fractures, comprising 93.8% of IPH-related fractures. As IPV is significantly underreported, understanding the nuances of fracture patterns associated with IPH can help to aid holistic forensic investigations.

Post COVID-19 Pandemic and Intimate Partner Violence: Family Physician to Its Rescue

COVID-19 has created panic waves wherein the world is under test and Malaysia is no exception. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is one among the exhaustive list and seen rise in cases especially after the lockdown where families must spend more time with each other. Good news that the movement restrictions are lifted, meanwhile it is likely that family physicians can expect more admissions of IPV. Reports from the Ministry of Health Malaysia state the last year cases have noticed a spike of 42%. Thereby the present communication aims to keep the family physician informed on the rising IPV related injuries. Our prime concern is about the reluctant victims that remain undetected. In reality, situations become tougher especially when victim is accompanied by her perpetrator. Being the first person to contact victim, the family physician should utilise this post-pandemic as a potential strategy to identify the voiceless victims in perpetrators presence.

Patterns of Mandibular Fractures through Human Aggression: A 10-Year Cross-Sectional Cohort Retrospective Study

The World Health Organization considers the victims of interpersonal violence to be a medical priority. In order to provide services at the highest level, we aimed to evaluate the patterns of maxillofacial fractures caused by interpersonal violence, in order to treat, counsel and guide these patients. This retrospective study was conducted in 478 patients with mandibular fractures caused by interpersonal violence over 10 years in a university clinic. The most affected were male patients (95.19%), 20-29 years of age (46.86%), under the influence of alcohol (83.26%) and without education (43.9%). The majority of mandibular fractures were displaced (89.3%) and intraorally open (64.0%). The most frequent location was the mandibular angle (34.84%). The most frequent soft tissue lesions were hematomas (45.04%) and abrasions (34.71%), being associated frequently with closed (p = 0.945/p = 0.237), displaced (p = 0.001/p = 0.002), single angle fractures (p = 0.081/p = 0.222). Educating the population and fighting alcohol consumption would decrease the occurrence of mandibular fractures through aggression. Clinical diagnosis should be made, keeping in mind that the severity of associated soft tissue lesions is directly proportional to the pattern and number of underlying fracture lines.

Imaging of Intimate Partner Violence, From the AJR Special Series on Emergency Radiology

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a highly prevalent public health issue with multiple adverse health effects. Radiologists are well suited to assessing a patient's likelihood of IPV. Recognition of common IPV injury mechanisms and resulting target and defensive injury patterns on imaging and understanding of differences between patients who have experienced IPV and those who have not with respect to use of imaging will aid radiologists in accurate IPV diagnosis. Target injuries often involve the face and neck as a result of blunt trauma or strangulation; defensive injuries often involve an extremity. Awareness of differences in injury patterns resulting from IPV-related and accidental trauma can aid radiologists in detecting a mismatch between the provided clinical history and imaging findings to support suspicion of IPV. Radiologists should consider all available current and prior imaging in assessing the likelihood of IPV; this process may be aided by machine learning methods. Even if correctly suspecting IPV on the basis of imaging, radiologists face challenges in acting on that suspicion, including appropriately documenting the findings, without compromising the patient's confidentiality and safety. However, through a multidisciplinary approach with appropriate support mechanisms, radiologists may serve as effective frontline physicians for raising suspicion of IPV.