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Mankad K, Sidpra J, Mirsky DM, Oates AJ, Colleran GC, Lucato LT, Kan E, Kilborn T, Agrawal N, Teeuw AH, Kelly P, Zeitlin D, Carter J, Debelle GD, Berger RP, Christian CW, Lindberg DM, Raissaki M, Argyropoulou M, Adamsbaum C, Cain T, van Rijn RR, Silvera VM, Rossi A, Kemp AM, Choudhary AK, Offiah AC. International Consensus Statement on the Radiological Screening of Contact Children in the Context of Suspected Child Physical Abuse. JAMA Pediatr 2023; 177:526-533. [PMID: 36877504 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.6184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Importance Physical abuse is a common but preventable cause of long-term childhood morbidity and mortality. Despite the strong association between abuse in an index child and abuse in contact children, there is no guidance outlining how to screen the latter, significantly more vulnerable group, for abusive injuries. Consequently, the radiological assessment of contact children is often omitted, or variably performed, allowing occult injuries to go undetected and increasing the risk of further abuse. Objective To report an evidence-based and consensus-derived set of best practices for the radiological screening of contact children in the context of suspected child physical abuse. Evidence Review This consensus statement is supported by a systematic review of the literature and the clinical opinion of an internationally recognized group of 26 experts. The modified Delphi consensus process comprised 3 meetings of the International Consensus Group on Contact Screening in Suspected Child Physical Abuse held between February and June 2021. Findings Contacts are defined as the asymptomatic siblings, cohabiting children, or children under the same care as an index child with suspected child physical abuse. All contact children should undergo a thorough physical examination and a history elicited prior to imaging. Contact children younger than 12 months should have neuroimaging, the preferred modality for which is magnetic resonance imaging, and skeletal survey. Contact children aged 12 to 24 months should undergo skeletal survey. No routine imaging is indicated in asymptomatic children older than 24 months. Follow-up skeletal survey with limited views should be performed if abnormal or equivocal at presentation. Contacts with positive findings should be investigated as an index child. Conclusions and Relevance This Special Communication reports consensus recommendations for the radiological screening of contact children in the context of suspected child physical abuse, establishing a recognized baseline for the stringent evaluation of these at-risk children and providing clinicians with a more resilient platform from which to advocate for them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kshitij Mankad
- Department of Neuroradiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Section, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jai Sidpra
- Department of Neuroradiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Section, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - David M Mirsky
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
| | - Adam J Oates
- Department of Radiology, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Gabrielle C Colleran
- Department Radiology, Children's Health Ireland and The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Leandro T Lucato
- Department of Radiology, Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elaine Kan
- Department of Radiology, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - Tracy Kilborn
- Department of Radiology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nina Agrawal
- City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York
| | - Arianne H Teeuw
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital-Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Patrick Kelly
- Te Puaruruhau, Starship Children's Health, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Pediatrics: Child and Youth Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Deborah Zeitlin
- Department of Pediatrics, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jamieson Carter
- Department of Pediatrics, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Geoff D Debelle
- Department of Pediatrics, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel P Berger
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Cindy W Christian
- Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Daniel M Lindberg
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
| | - Maria Raissaki
- Department of Radiology and Imaging, University Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School, University of Crete, Rethymno, Greece
| | - Maria Argyropoulou
- Department of Clinical Radiology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Catherine Adamsbaum
- Paris Saclay University, Faculty of Medicine, AP-HP, Bicêtre Hospital, Department of Paediatric Radiology, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Timothy Cain
- Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Rick R van Rijn
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Emma Children's Hospital-Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Netherlands Forensic Institute, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | | | - Andrea Rossi
- Neuroradiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alison M Kemp
- Division of Population Medicine, Department of Child Health, University of Cardiff, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Arabinda K Choudhary
- Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock
| | - Amaka C Offiah
- Department of Radiology, Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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2
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Hahnemann ML, Kronsbein K, Karger B, Feld K, Banaschak S, Helmus J, Mentzel HJ, Pfeiffer H, Wittschieber D. Characterization of subdural collections in initial neuroimaging of abusive head trauma: Implications for forensic age diagnostics and clinical decision-making. Eur J Radiol 2023; 159:110652. [PMID: 36577185 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2022.110652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Subdural collections (SDCs) represent a key finding in abusive head trauma (AHT), a serious form of child physical abuse. Common SDC entities in this context are subdural hematoma (SDH), subdural hygroma (SDHy), subdural hematohygroma (SDHHy), and chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). The present study examines the prevalence of the different SDC entities and investigates the influence of the SDC diagnosis on the forensic age estimation of the injury. METHODS In this retrospective multi-center study from three German university hospitals of a 10-year period, the initial neuroimaging material (CT or MRI) of 56 children (36 males, 20 females; age median 3.9 months) with medico-legally well-documented AHT was analyzed. SDCs were characterized by determining presence, location, extension, and visual appearance, by assigning to one of the five entities, and by categorizing with three different classification systems, one of which represents a novel system based on focality and Mixed Appearance Pattern and especially developed for children with AHT. The data were correlated with demographic and clinical data. By means of court files, AHT cases were also sub-divided into confession (n = 14) and non-confession cases (n = 42) and then compared. RESULTS Most cases showed a multifocal presence of SDCs (96.4%) and the presence of a Mixed Appearance Pattern (82.1%). The most common SDC entity was the heterogeneous variant of the SDHHy (66.1%). The cSDH occurred infrequently only (3.6%). Our novel classification system illustrates that unifocal SDCs rarely occur in AHT, and that more complex SDC patterns are common. In nearly all cases (94.6%), additional signs of recently caused brain injury were present beside the SDCs. Comparison between confession and non-confession groups did not reveal any significant differences, indicating that the diagnostic criteria of AHT are robust. CONCLUSIONS Although precise dating of SDCs based on initial neuroimaging alone remains unrealistic, the exact diagnosis of the SDC entity provide an important basis for differentiation between acute trauma and chronic post-traumatic state. Therefore, especially the confirmation or exclusion of subdural neomembranes, that define the cSDH, should be considered indispensable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Hahnemann
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany; Section of Pediatric Radiology, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Katharina Kronsbein
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Westfalian Wilhelms University Münster, Münster, Germany; Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Westfalian Wilhelms University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Bernd Karger
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Westfalian Wilhelms University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Katharina Feld
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sibylle Banaschak
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Janine Helmus
- Formerly, Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Hans-Joachim Mentzel
- Section of Pediatric Radiology, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Heidi Pfeiffer
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Westfalian Wilhelms University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Daniel Wittschieber
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.
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3
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De Vito A, Ben Zvi I, D'Arco F. MR Protocols for Paediatric Neurosurgical Common Conditions: An Update Guide for Neurosurgeons. Adv Tech Stand Neurosurg 2023; 48:57-72. [PMID: 37770681 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-36785-4_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
The biggest challenge for clinicians and surgeons when it comes to radiological examinations is the ability to request the right modalities and to understand the strengths and limitations of each modality. This is particularly important in paediatric neurosciences where despite magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) being the main imaging modality, there are several protocols, technical limitations of specific scanners and issues related to sedation that need to be taken into account. In this chapter, we describe a simple approach for six common neurosurgical conditions to guide the paediatric neurosurgeons in requesting the right MR protocol and understanding the rationale of it.Paediatric neuro-oncology, epilepsy and neck/skull base protocols are discussed elsewhere in this book and therefore will not be a focus in this chapter (Bernasconi et al., Epilepsia 60:1054-68, 2019; D'Arco et al., Neuroradiology 64:1081-100; 2022; Avula et al., Childs Nerv Syst 37:2497-508; 2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea De Vito
- Department of Neuroradiology, H. S. Gerardo Monza, Monza, Italy.
| | - Ido Ben Zvi
- Paediatric Neurosurgery Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Felice D'Arco
- Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
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4
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Caré MM. Parenchymal Insults in Abuse—A Potential Key to Diagnosis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12040955. [PMID: 35454003 PMCID: PMC9029348 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12040955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Subdural hemorrhage is a key imaging finding in cases of abusive head trauma and one that many radiologists and radiology trainees become familiar with during their years of training. Although it may prove to be a marker of trauma in a young child or infant that presents without a history of injury, the parenchymal insults in these young patients more often lead to the debilitating and sometimes devastating outcomes observed in this young population. It is important to recognize these patterns of parenchymal injuries and how they may differ from the imaging findings in other cases of traumatic injury in young children. In addition, these parenchymal insults may serve as another significant, distinguishing feature when making the medical diagnosis of abusive head injury while still considering alternative diagnoses, including accidental injury. Therefore, as radiologists, we must strive to look beyond the potential cranial injury or subdural hemorrhage for the sometimes more subtle but significant parenchymal insults in abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marguerite M. Caré
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA;
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
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5
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What Can the Clinical Radiologist Learn from Forensic Imaging? Analogies and Differences Between Forensic and Clinical Imaging. FORENSIC IMAGING 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-83352-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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6
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Pendharkar H, Jabeen S, Pruthi N, Narasinga Rao KVLN, Shukla D, Kamble N, Jangam KV, Kommu JVS, Kandavel T, Amudhan S. Abusive head trauma in India: imaging raises the curtain. Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot 2021; 29:103-111. [PMID: 34913839 DOI: 10.1080/17457300.2021.2007955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to identify children at our institute who possibly suffered abusive head trauma (AHT). A retrospective study of CT imaging of children between one month to three years of age between January 2013 and May 2021 was carried out at a dedicated neurocentre in Southern India. We identified 48 cases of possible AHT. The demographics, clinical features at presentation, imaging and fundus findings were analyzed. Imaging revealed subdural hemorrhage (SDH) in 42 and sub dural effusion (SDE) in 5 cases, one case had only hypoxia. The location of SDH was studied as was hypoxia underlying SDH, global hypoxia and ischemia. Cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), parenchymal hematoma & intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) were also noted. Skeletal survey, chest X-ray and CT spine were reviewed. AHT needs to be paid attention to in the Indian scenario. An extensive work up is required to substantiate the claim and to work on prevention & management of these cases subsequently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hima Pendharkar
- Department of Neuro Imaging and Interventional Radiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Shumyla Jabeen
- Department of Neuro Imaging and Interventional Radiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India.,Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir, India
| | - Nupur Pruthi
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - K V L N Narasinga Rao
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Dhaval Shukla
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Nitish Kamble
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India.,Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Kavita V Jangam
- Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - John Vijay Sagar Kommu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Thennarasu Kandavel
- Department of Biostatistics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Senthil Amudhan
- Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India
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7
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Dias MS. Subdural collections: Arachnoid cyst or benign expansion of the subarachnoid spaces? J Forensic Leg Med 2021; 81:102203. [PMID: 34171751 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2021.102203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Dias
- Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, 30 Hope Drive, Suite 2750, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
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8
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Pfeifer CM. Evolving forensic controversies in child abuse imaging. Pediatr Radiol 2021; 51:1079-1083. [PMID: 33999249 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-020-04800-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Child abuse is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Despite well-defined evidence establishing bona fide clinical and imaging indicators of child abuse, denialists have emerged on behalf of defendants utilizing unaccepted scientific positions based on literature that they have often authored themselves. This manuscript describes many of the trends in recent legal proceedings while highlighting the importance of consensus statements and professional ethics as they pertain to child abuse imaging. Knowledge of these cases and legal defense strategies is valuable to potential expert witnesses in relevant proceedings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory M Pfeifer
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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9
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Purushothaman R, Desai S, Jayappa S, Choudhary AK, Ramakrishnaiah RH. Utility of three-dimensional and reformatted head computed tomography images in the evaluation of pediatric abusive head trauma. Pediatr Radiol 2021; 51:927-938. [PMID: 33856501 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-021-05025-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Skull fractures are common in the pediatric population following head trauma and are estimated to occur post head trauma in 11% of children younger than 2 years. A skull fracture indicates potential underlying intracranial injury and might also help explain the mechanism of injury. Multiple primary and accessory sutures complicate the identification of non-depressed fractures in children younger than 2 years. Detection of linear skull fractures can be difficult on two-dimensional (2-D) CT and can be missed, particularly when the fracture is along the plane of image reconstruction. Knowledge of primary and accessory sutures as well as normal anatomical variants is of paramount importance in identifying pediatric skull fractures with a greater degree of confidence. Acute fractures appear as lucent cortical defects that do not have sclerotic borders, in contrast to sutures, which might demonstrate sclerotic margins. Three-dimensional (3-D) CT has increased sensitivity and specificity for detecting skull fractures and is essential in the evaluation of pediatric head CTs for distinguishing subtle fractures from sutural variants, especially in the setting of trauma. In this review, we present our experience of the use of 3-D reformats in head CT and its implications on the interpretation, especially in the setting of accidental or abusive head trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rangarajan Purushothaman
- Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), 4301 W. Markham St. Slot 556, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.
| | - Shivang Desai
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Sateesh Jayappa
- Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), 4301 W. Markham St. Slot 556, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Arabinda K Choudhary
- Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), 4301 W. Markham St. Slot 556, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Raghu H Ramakrishnaiah
- Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), 4301 W. Markham St. Slot 556, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
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10
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Venous injury in pediatric abusive head trauma: a pictorial review. Pediatr Radiol 2021; 51:918-926. [PMID: 33884464 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-021-05016-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Abusive head trauma (AHT) is the leading cause of fatal head injuries in children younger than 2 years. An intracranial pathology can exist even in the setting of a normal physical exam. A delay in the diagnosis of AHT can have serious life-threatening consequences for the child and increases the potential the child will be abused again. In this article, we review the traumatic subdural hematoma as well as various morpho-structural patterns of shearing injuries and thrombosis of intracranial bridging veins. This work serves as a summary of patterns of imaging features of intracranial venous injury in AHT, as described in the literature, to facilitate familiarity and early detection of abusive head trauma in the pediatric population. Essentially, in AHT there is a traumatic injury to the bridging vein with either partial or complete tear. This can secondarily result in thrombosis at the terminal end of the bridging vein with blood clots adjacent to the bridging vein.
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11
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Vilanilam GK, Jayappa S, Desai S, Zuccoli G, Ramakrishnaiah RH, Choudhary AK. Venous injury in pediatric abusive head trauma: a pictorial review. Pediatr Radiol 2021. [PMID: 33884464 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-021-050f16-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Abusive head trauma (AHT) is the leading cause of fatal head injuries in children younger than 2 years. An intracranial pathology can exist even in the setting of a normal physical exam. A delay in the diagnosis of AHT can have serious life-threatening consequences for the child and increases the potential the child will be abused again. In this article, we review the traumatic subdural hematoma as well as various morpho-structural patterns of shearing injuries and thrombosis of intracranial bridging veins. This work serves as a summary of patterns of imaging features of intracranial venous injury in AHT, as described in the literature, to facilitate familiarity and early detection of abusive head trauma in the pediatric population. Essentially, in AHT there is a traumatic injury to the bridging vein with either partial or complete tear. This can secondarily result in thrombosis at the terminal end of the bridging vein with blood clots adjacent to the bridging vein.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Koshy Vilanilam
- Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., Slot 556, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.
| | - Sateesh Jayappa
- Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., Slot 556, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Shivang Desai
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Giulio Zuccoli
- The NDRD (Program for the Study in Neurodevelopment in Rare Disorders), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Raghu H Ramakrishnaiah
- Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., Slot 556, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Arabinda K Choudhary
- Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., Slot 556, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
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12
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Dias MS, Thamburaj K. Neuroradiologic timing of intracranial hemorrhage in abusive head trauma. Pediatr Radiol 2021; 51:911-917. [PMID: 33999236 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-020-04824-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Determining the timing of intracranial injuries in general, and abusive head trauma (AHT) in particular, is important to the care of children with traumatic brain injury. Additionally, identifying the time of the injury provides important information as to who might have, and who did not, inflict the trauma. Understanding the appearance and evolution of intracranial findings on neuroimaging has been an important factor in assessing the time of the injury. However, a number of studies in the last two decades have both suggested greater uncertainty about the reliability of this process and advanced our knowledge in this area. In this review, the authors consider the biophysical factors that contribute to the appearance and evolution of intracranial hemorrhage and, in particular, subdural hemorrhage (SDH). The traditional view of SDH is predicated largely on prior studies of intracerebral hemorrhage, although a number of variables make this comparison untenable. Moreover, more recent studies have suggested a number of factors that could alter the density (CT) or signal intensity (MRI) and produce mixed density/intensity SDH. These factors need to be considered in interpreting neuroimaging studies. A number of these recent studies evaluating serial neuroimaging in children with AHT have modified our understanding of intracranial hemorrhage and its evolution in this context. Taken together, the studies to date, having important limitations, provide only broad ranges over which to time injuries. The authors conclude that neuroimaging studies at this time are not likely, in isolation, to be able to accurately pinpoint a specific time of injury; rather, neuroimaging can only provide a range of possible times and should instead be used as a means to supplement or corroborate timing based on clinical presentation and other imaging findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Dias
- Department of Neurosurgery, Penn State Health College of Medicine, 30 Hope Drive, Suite 2750, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Penn State Health College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
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Maiese A, Iannaccone F, Scatena A, Del Fante Z, Oliva A, Frati P, Fineschi V. Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma: A Systematic Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11040734. [PMID: 33924220 PMCID: PMC8074611 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11040734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Abusive head trauma (AHT) represents a commonly misdiagnosed condition. In fact, there is no pathognomonic sign that allows the diagnosis in children. Therefore, it is such an important medico-legal challenge to evaluate reliable diagnostic tools. The aim of this review is to evaluate the current scientific evidence to assess what the best practice is in order to diagnose AHT. We have focused particularly on evaluating the importance of circumstantial evidence, clinical history, the use of postmortem radiological examinations (such as CT and MRI), and the performance of the autopsy. After autopsy, histological examination of the eye and brain play an important role, with attention paid to correlation with symptoms found in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniello Maiese
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (F.I.); (A.S.)
- IRCSS Neuromed Mediterranean Neurological Institute, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy;
| | - Francesca Iannaccone
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (F.I.); (A.S.)
| | - Andrea Scatena
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (F.I.); (A.S.)
| | - Zoe Del Fante
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Antonio Oliva
- Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Catholic University, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00100 Rome, Italy;
| | - Paola Frati
- IRCSS Neuromed Mediterranean Neurological Institute, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy;
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Vittorio Fineschi
- IRCSS Neuromed Mediterranean Neurological Institute, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy;
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-064-991-2722
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Bloemen EM, Rosen T, Lindberg DM, Krugman RD. How Experiences of Child Abuse Pediatricians and Lessons Learned May Inform Health Care Providers Focused on Improving Elder Abuse Geriatrics Clinical Practice and Research. JOURNAL OF FAMILY VIOLENCE 2021; 36:389-398. [PMID: 34121804 PMCID: PMC8189565 DOI: 10.1007/s10896-020-00143-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The experience of physicians and other health care providers in child abuse pediatrics in the last six decades includes successes and failures, which can offer critical insights to inform the growing field of health care providers focusing on elder abuse clinical practice and research. We identify and describe in detail relevant lessons learned, including balancing an urgent call to action with a need for robust evidence to support clinical conclusions. We discuss solutions to research challenges, including the lack of a uniform gold standard for abuse diagnosis and how to ethically recruit subjects who may have cognitive impairment and also be crime victims. We offer recommendations on recruiting and training a specialized health care workforce. We make suggestions for health care providers about how to navigate the legal world including issues with expert testimony and also how to participate in policymaking and development of rational systems. We emphasize the importance of developing and supporting partnerships within the field, with allied fields inside and outside medicine, and internationally. We also highlight the value of connecting researchers and clinicians focused on different types of family violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M. Bloemen
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Tony Rosen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine / NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, 525 E. 68 St., Room M130, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Daniel M. Lindberg
- The Kempe Center for the Prevention & Treatment of Child Abuse & Neglect, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12401 E. 17th Ave. Mailstop B-215, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Richard D. Krugman
- The Kempe Center for the Prevention & Treatment of Child Abuse & Neglect, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12401 E. 17th Ave. Mailstop B-215, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Porto L, Bartels MB, Zwaschka J, You SJ, Polkowski C, Luetkens J, Endler C, Kieslich M, Hattingen E. Abusive head trauma: experience improves diagnosis. Neuroradiology 2021; 63:417-430. [PMID: 33079214 PMCID: PMC7880981 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-020-02564-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The diagnosis of abusive head trauma (AHT) is complex and neuroimaging plays a crucial role. Our goal was to determine whether non-neuroradiologists with standard neuroradiology knowledge perform as well as neuroradiologists with experience in pediatric neuroimaging in interpreting MRI in cases of presumptive AHT (pAHT). METHODS Twenty children were retrospectively evaluated. Patients had been diagnosed with pAHT (6 patients), non-abusive head trauma-NAHT (5 patients), metabolic diseases (3 patients), and benign enlargement of the subarachnoid spaces (BESS) (6 patients). The MRI was assessed blindly, i.e., no clinical history was given to the 3 non-neuroradiologists and 3 neuroradiologists from 2 different institutions. RESULTS Blindly, neuroradiologists demonstrated higher levels of sensitivity and positive predictive value in the diagnosis of pAHT (89%) than non-neuroradiologists (50%). Neuroradiologists chose correctly pAHT as the most probable diagnosis 16 out of 18 times; in contrast, non-neuroradiologists only chose 9 out of 18 times. In our series, the foremost important misdiagnosis for pAHT was NAHT (neuroradiologists twice and non-neuroradiologists 5 times). Only victims of motor vehicle accidents were blindly misdiagnosed as pAHT. No usual household NAHT was not misdiagnosed as pAHT. Neuroradiologists correctly ruled out pAHT in all cases of metabolic diseases and BESS. CONCLUSION MRI in cases of suspected AHT should be evaluated by neuroradiologists with experience in pediatric neuroimaging. Neuroradiologists looked beyond the subdural hemorrhage (SDH) and were more precise in the assessment of pAHT and its differential diagnosis than non-neuroradiologists were. It seems that non-neuroradiologists mainly assess whether or not a pAHT is present depending on the presence or absence of SDH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Porto
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Hospital of Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2 - 16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Marco Baz Bartels
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Hospital of Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jonas Zwaschka
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Hospital of Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2 - 16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Se-Jong You
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Hospital of Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2 - 16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christoph Polkowski
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Hospital of Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2 - 16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Julian Luetkens
- Institute of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christoph Endler
- Institute of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Matthias Kieslich
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Hospital of Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Elke Hattingen
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Hospital of Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2 - 16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Shaken Baby Syndrome: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features in Abusive Head Trauma. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11020179. [PMID: 33535601 PMCID: PMC7912837 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In the context of child abuse spectrum, abusive head trauma (AHT) represents the leading cause of fatal head injuries in children less than 2 years of age. Immature brain is characterized by high water content, partially myelinated neurons, and prominent subarachnoid space, thus being susceptible of devastating damage as consequence of acceleration–deceleration and rotational forces developed by violent shaking mechanism. Diagnosis of AHT is not straightforward and represents a medical, forensic, and social challenge, based on a multidisciplinary approach. Beside a detailed anamnesis, neuroimaging is essential to identify signs suggestive of AHT, often in absence of external detectable lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) represents the radiation-free modality of choice to investigate the most typical findings in AHT, such as subdural hematoma, retinal hemorrhage, and hypoxic-ischemic damage and it also allows to detect more subtle signs as parenchymal lacerations, cranio-cervical junction, and spinal injuries. This paper is intended to review the main MRI findings of AHT in the central nervous system of infants, with a specific focus on both hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic injuries caused by the pathological mechanisms of shaking. Furthermore, this review provides a brief overview about the most appropriate and feasible MRI protocol to help neuroradiologists identifying AHT in clinical practice.
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The Danish Chronic Subdural Hematoma Study-comparison of hematoma age to the radiological appearance at time of diagnosis. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2020; 162:2007-2013. [PMID: 32594246 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-020-04472-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH) show different radiological characteristics on CT scans at the time of diagnosis. The reason for this is largely unknown. We hypothesize that the imaging characteristics reflect a time-linked pathophysiological evolution. We therefore conducted a retrospective study to examine a possible relation between the hematoma age and the radiological subtype of a CSDH. METHODS Demographic data on patients with CSDH were retrieved from a Danish national cohort from 2010 to 2012. CT scans obtained on admission to a neurosurgical department were categorized as homogenous, separated, mixed, or membranous hematoma subtypes. The time from a known date of head injury to time of diagnostic CT was defined as hematoma age. The hematoma age was correlated to radiological hematoma subtype at the time of diagnosis by analysis of variance testing. RESULTS In total, 543 patients were analyzed for hematoma age and classified in the following hematoma subtypes: 231 homogenous, 44 separated, 119 mixed, and 149 membranous. Patients with homogenous, separated, mixed, and membranous hematoma subtypes had a median interval of 37, 36, 40, and 60 days from head injury to diagnostic CT. We found that membranous hematoma is significantly older than other subtypes. Comparison between the other radiological subtypes showed no statistical hematoma age difference. The distribution of radiological subtypes in 590 patients without a known head injury was similar to that of patients with a known head injury. Additionally, we found that hematoma age was significantly younger for patients on antiplatelet medication. CONCLUSION In this large national cohort, patients with membranous CSDH had a significantly longer interval between head injury and diagnosis compared to other radiological subtypes. This indicates that the radiological appearance of CSDH evolves over time, causing an alteration from different early radiological subtypes to a radiological subtype with membranes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER The study was approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (journal no.30-1145).
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Kazmir S, Rosado N. Abusive Head Trauma: A Review of Current Knowledge. CLINICAL PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cpem.2020.100791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Hung KL. Pediatric abusive head trauma. Biomed J 2020; 43:240-250. [PMID: 32330675 PMCID: PMC7424091 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2020.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Abusive head trauma (AHT), used to be named shaken baby syndrome, is an injury to the skull and intracranial components of a baby or child younger than 5 years due to violent shaking and/or abrupt impact. It is a worldwide leading cause of fatal head injuries in children under 2 years. The mechanism of AHT includes shaking as well as impact, crushing or their various combinations through acceleration, deceleration and rotational force. The diagnosis of AHT should be based on the existence of multiple components including subdural hematoma, intracranial pathology, retinal hemorrhages as well as rib and other fractures consistent with the mechanism of trauma. The differential diagnosis must exclude those medical or surgical diseases that can mimic AHT such as traumatic brain injury, cerebral sinovenous thrombosis, and hypoxic-ischemic injury. As for the treatment, most of the care of AHT is supportive. Vital signs should be maintained. Intracranial pressure, if necessary, should be monitored and controlled to ensure adequate cerebral perfusion pressure. There are potential morbidity and mortality associated with AHT, ranging from mild learning disabilities to severe handicaps and death. The prognosis of patients with AHT correlates with the extent of injury identified on CT and MRI imaging. The outcome is associated with the clinical staging, the extent of increased intracranial pressure and the existence of neurological complications such as acquired hydrocephalus or microcephalus, cortical blindness, convulsive disorder, and developmental delay. AHT is a potentially preventable disease, therefore, prevention should be stressed in all encounters within the family, the society and all the healthcare providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Long Hung
- Department of Pediatrics, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Iqbal O'Meara AM, Sequeira J, Miller Ferguson N. Advances and Future Directions of Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma: A Review of the Literature. Front Neurol 2020; 11:118. [PMID: 32153494 PMCID: PMC7044347 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abusive head trauma (AHT) is broadly defined as injury of the skull and intracranial contents as a result of perpetrator-inflicted force and represents a persistent and significant disease burden in children under the age of 4 years. When compared to age-matched controls with typically single occurrence accidental traumatic brain injury (TBI), mortality after AHT is disproportionately high and likely attributable to key differences between injury phenotypes. This article aims to review the epidemiology of AHT, summarize the current state of AHT diagnosis, treatment, and prevention as well as areas for future directions of study. Despite neuroimaging advances and an evolved understanding of AHT, early identification remains a challenge for contemporary clinicians. As such, the reported incidence of 10–30 per 100,000 infants per year may be a considerable underestimate that has not significantly decreased over the past several decades despite social campaigns for public education such as “Never Shake a Baby.” This may reflect caregivers in crisis for whom education is not sufficient without support and intervention, or dangerous environments in which other family members are at risk in addition to the child. Acute management specific to AHT has not advanced beyond usual supportive care for childhood TBI, and prevention and early recognition remain crucial. Moreover, AHT is frequently excluded from studies of childhood TBI, which limits the precise translation of important brain injury research to this population. Repeated injury, antecedent abuse or neglect, delayed medical attention, and high rates of apnea and seizures on presentation are important variables to be considered. More research, including AHT inclusion in childhood TBI studies with comparisons to age-matched controls, and translational models with clinical fidelity are needed to better elucidate the pathophysiology of AHT and inform both clinical care and the development of targeted therapies. Clinical prediction rules, biomarkers, and imaging modalities hold promise, though these have largely been developed and validated in patients after clinically evident AHT has already occurred. Nevertheless, recognition of warning signs and intervention before irreversible harm occurs remains the current best strategy for medical professionals to protect vulnerable infants and toddlers.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Iqbal O'Meara
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Jake Sequeira
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Nikki Miller Ferguson
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
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Subdural hemorrhage rebleeding in abused children: frequency, associations and clinical presentation. Pediatr Radiol 2019; 49:1762-1772. [PMID: 31745619 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-019-04483-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited documentation exists about how frequently radiologically visible rebleeding occurs with abusive subdural hemorrhages (SDH). Likewise, little is known about rebleeding predispositions and associated symptoms. OBJECTIVE To describe the frequency of subdural rebleeding after abusive head trauma (AHT), its predispositions and clinical presentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated children with SDHs from AHT who were reimaged within a year of their initial hospitalization, retrospectively reviewing clinical details and imaging. We used the available CT and MR images. We then performed simple descriptive and comparative statistics. RESULTS Fifty-four of 85 reimaged children (63.5%) with AHT-SDH rebled. No child had new trauma, radiologic evidence of new parenchymal injury or acute neurologic symptoms from rebleeding. From the initial presentation, macrocephaly was associated with subsequent rebleeding. Greater subdural depth, macrocephaly, ventriculomegaly and brain atrophy at follow-up were associated with rebleeding. No other radiologic findings at initial presentation or follow-up predicted rebleeding risk, although pre-existing brain atrophy at initial admission and initial chronic SDHs barely missed significance. Impact injuries, retinal hemorrhages and clinical indices of initial injury severity were not associated with rebleeding. All rebleeding occurred within chronic SDHs; no new bridging vein rupture was identified. The mean time until rebleeding was recognized was 12 weeks; no child had rebleeding after 49 weeks. CONCLUSION Subdural rebleeding is common and occurs in children who have brain atrophy, ventriculomegaly, macrocephaly and deep SDHs at rebleed. It usually occurs in the early months post-injury. All children with rebleeds were neurologically asymptomatic and lacked histories or clinical or radiologic findings of new trauma. Bleeds did not occur outside of chronic SDHs. We estimate the maximum predicted frequency of non-traumatic SDH rebleeding accompanied by acute neurological symptoms in children with a prior abusive SDH is 3.5%.
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Abstract
Claims that new science is changing accepted medical opinion about abusive head injury have been made frequently in the media, legal publications and in legal cases involving abusive head trauma (AHT). This review analyzes recently published scientific articles about AHT to determine whether this new information has led to significant changes in the understanding, evaluation and management of children with suspected AHT. Several specific topics are examined: serious or fatal injuries from short falls; specificity of subdural hematoma for severe trauma; biomechanical explanations for findings; the specificity of retinal hemorrhages; the possibility of cerebral sinus thrombosis presenting with signs similar to AHT; and whether vaccines can produce such findings. We conclude: a) that the overwhelming weight of recent data does not change the fundamental consensus b) that abusive head trauma is a significant source of morbidity and mortality in children c) that subdural hematomas and severe retinal hemorrhages are commonly the result of severe trauma d) that these injuries should prompt an evaluation for abuse when identified in young children without a history of such severe trauma and e) that short falls, cerebral sinus thrombosis and vaccinations are not plausible explanations for findings that raise concern for abusive head trauma.
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Palmer AW, Albert GW. Minicraniotomy with a subgaleal pocket for the treatment of subdural fluid collections in infants. J Neurosurg Pediatr 2019; 23:480-485. [PMID: 30717055 DOI: 10.3171/2018.11.peds18322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Various surgical techniques have been described to treat subdural fluid collections in infants, including transfontanelle aspiration, burr holes, subdural drain, subduroperitoneal shunt, and minicraniotomy. The purpose of this study was to describe a modification of the minicraniotomy technique that avoids the implantation of external drainage catheters and potentially carries a higher success rate. METHODS In this retrospective study, the authors describe 11 cases involving pediatric patients who underwent parietal minicraniotomies for the evacuation of subdural fluid collections. In contrast to cases previously described in the literature, no patient received a drain; instead, a subgaleal pocket was created such that the fluid could flow from the subdural to the subgaleal space. Preoperative and postoperative data were reviewed, including neurological examination findings, radiological findings, complications, hospital length of stay, and findings on follow-up examinations and imaging. The primary outcome was failure of the treatment strategy, defined as an increase in subdural fluid collection requiring further intervention. RESULTS Eleven patients (8 boys and 3 girls, median age 4.5 months) underwent the described procedure. Eight of the patients had complete resolution of the subdural collection on follow-up imaging, and 2 had improvement. One patient had a new subdural collection due to a second injury. Only 1 patient underwent aspiration and subsequent surgical repair of a pseudomeningocele after the initial surgery. Notably, no patients required subduroperitoneal shunt placement. CONCLUSIONS The authors describe a new surgical option for subdural fluid collections in infants that allows for more aggressive evacuation of the subdural fluid and eliminates the need for a drain or shunt placement. Further work with more patients and direct comparison to other alternative therapies is necessary to fully evaluate the efficacy and safety of this new technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela W Palmer
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; and
- 2Division of Neurosurgery, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Gregory W Albert
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; and
- 2Division of Neurosurgery, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas
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Wittschieber D, Karger B, Pfeiffer H, Hahnemann ML. Understanding Subdural Collections in Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2018; 40:388-395. [PMID: 30523144 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a5855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Life-threatening physical abuse of infants and toddlers is frequently correlated with head injuries. A common variant of the abusive head trauma is the shaken baby syndrome. The present review article sheds light on subdural collections in children with abusive head trauma and aims at providing a recent knowledge base for various medical disciplines involved in diagnostic procedures and legal proceedings. To this end, the different subdural collection entities are presented and illustrated. The pathophysiologic background is explained. Differential and age-diagnostic aspects are discussed and summarized by tabular and graphic overviews. Two problematic constellations frequently occurring during initial CT investigations are evaluated: A mixed-density subdural collection does not prove repeated trauma, and hypodense subdural collections are not synonymous with chronicity. The neuroradiologic analysis and assessment of subdural collections may decisively contribute to answering differential diagnostic and forensic questions. In addition to more reference data, a harmonization of terminology and methodology is urgently needed, especially with respect to age-diagnostic aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Wittschieber
- From the Institute of Legal Medicine (D.W., B.K., H.P.), University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany .,Institute of Legal Medicine (D.W.), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - B Karger
- From the Institute of Legal Medicine (D.W., B.K., H.P.), University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - H Pfeiffer
- From the Institute of Legal Medicine (D.W., B.K., H.P.), University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - M L Hahnemann
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology (M.L.H.), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Neuroradiological Diagnostics and Intervention (M.L.H.), Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Elinder G, Eriksson A, Hallberg B, Lynøe N, Sundgren PM, Rosén M, Engström I, Erlandsson BE. Traumatic shaking: The role of the triad in medical investigations of suspected traumatic shaking. Acta Paediatr 2018; 107 Suppl 472:3-23. [PMID: 30146789 PMCID: PMC6585638 DOI: 10.1111/apa.14473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assesment of Social Services (SBU) is an independent national authority, tasked by the government with assessing methods used in health, medical and dental services and social service interventions from a broad perspective, covering medical, economic, ethical and social aspects. The language in SBU's reports are adjusted to a wide audience. SBU's Board of Directors has approved the conclusions in this report. The systematic review showed the following graded results: There is limited scientific evidence that the triad (Three components of a whole. The triad associated with SBS usually comprises subdural haematoma, retinal haemorrhages and encephalopathy.) and therefore, its components can be associated with traumatic shaking (low-quality evidence). There is insufficient scientific evidence on which to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the triad in identifying traumatic shaking (very low-quality evidence). Limited scientific evidence (low-quality evidence) represents a combined assessment of studies of high or moderate quality which disclose factors that markedly weaken the evidence. It is important to note that limited scientific evidence for the reliability of a method or an effect does not imply complete lack of scientific support. Insufficient scientific evidence (very low-quality evidence) represents either a lack of studies or situations when available studies are of low quality or show contradictory results. Evaluation of the evidence was not based on formal grading of the evidence according to GRADE but on an evaluation of the total scientific basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Göran Elinder
- Department of Pediatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Eriksson
- Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Forensic Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- The National Board of Forensic Medicine, Sweden
| | - Boubou Hallberg
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Niels Lynøe
- Medical Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pia Maly Sundgren
- Diagnostic Radiology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Neuroradiology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Måns Rosén
- Health Technology Assessment, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ingemar Engström
- Child and Adolecent Psychiatry, University Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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Choudhary AK, Servaes S, Slovis TL, Palusci VJ, Hedlund GL, Narang SK, Moreno JA, Dias MS, Christian CW, Nelson MD, Silvera VM, Palasis S, Raissaki M, Rossi A, Offiah AC. Consensus statement on abusive head trauma in infants and young children. Pediatr Radiol 2018; 48:1048-1065. [PMID: 29796797 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-018-4149-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Abusive head trauma (AHT) is the leading cause of fatal head injuries in children younger than 2 years. A multidisciplinary team bases this diagnosis on history, physical examination, imaging and laboratory findings. Because the etiology of the injury is multifactorial (shaking, shaking and impact, impact, etc.) the current best and inclusive term is AHT. There is no controversy concerning the medical validity of the existence of AHT, with multiple components including subdural hematoma, intracranial and spinal changes, complex retinal hemorrhages, and rib and other fractures that are inconsistent with the provided mechanism of trauma. The workup must exclude medical diseases that can mimic AHT. However, the courtroom has become a forum for speculative theories that cannot be reconciled with generally accepted medical literature. There is no reliable medical evidence that the following processes are causative in the constellation of injuries of AHT: cerebral sinovenous thrombosis, hypoxic-ischemic injury, lumbar puncture or dysphagic choking/vomiting. There is no substantiation, at a time remote from birth, that an asymptomatic birth-related subdural hemorrhage can result in rebleeding and sudden collapse. Further, a diagnosis of AHT is a medical conclusion, not a legal determination of the intent of the perpetrator or a diagnosis of murder. We hope that this consensus document reduces confusion by recommending to judges and jurors the tools necessary to distinguish genuine evidence-based opinions of the relevant medical community from legal arguments or etiological speculations that are unwarranted by the clinical findings, medical evidence and evidence-based literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arabinda Kumar Choudhary
- Department of Radiology, Nemours AI duPont Hospital for Children, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA.
| | - Sabah Servaes
- Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Thomas L Slovis
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | | | - Gary L Hedlund
- Department of Medical Imaging, Primary Children's Hospital, Intermountain Healthcare, Department of Radiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Sandeep K Narang
- Division of Child Abuse Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Mark S Dias
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics, Penn State Health Children's Hospital, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Cindy W Christian
- Department of Pediatrics, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marvin D Nelson
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Susan Palasis
- Pediatric Neuroradiology, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Scottish Rite Campus, Department of Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maria Raissaki
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Heraklion, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
| | - Andrea Rossi
- Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Amaka C Offiah
- Paediatric Musculoskeletal Imaging, Academic Unit of Child Health, Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Western Bank, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Cheshire EC, Malcomson RDG, Sun P, Mirkes EM, Amoroso JM, Rutty GN. A systematic autopsy survey of human infant bridging veins. Int J Legal Med 2018; 132:449-461. [PMID: 29075919 PMCID: PMC5807502 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-017-1714-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In the first years of life, subdural haemorrhage (SDH) within the cranial cavity can occur through accidental and non-accidental mechanisms as well as from birth-related injury. This type of bleeding is the most common finding in victims of abusive head trauma (AHT). Historically, the most frequent cause of SDHs in infancy is suggested to be traumatic damage to bridging veins traversing from the brain to the dural membrane. However, several alternative hypotheses have been suggested for the cause and origin of subdural bleeding. It has also been suggested by some that bridging veins are too large to rupture through the forces associated with AHT. To date, there have been no systematic anatomical studies on infant bridging veins. During 43 neonatal, infant and young child post-mortem examinations, we have mapped the locations and numbers of bridging veins onto a 3D model of the surface of a representative infant brain. We have also recorded the in situ diameter of 79 bridging veins from two neonatal, one infant and two young children at post-mortem examination. Large numbers of veins, both distant from and directly entering the dural venous sinuses, were discovered travelling between the brain and dural membrane, with the mean number of veins per brain being 54.1 and the largest number recorded as 94. The mean diameter of the bridging veins was 0.93 mm, with measurements ranging from 0.05 to 3.07 mm. These data demonstrate that some veins are extremely small and subjectively, and they appear to be delicate. Characterisation of infant bridging veins will contribute to the current understanding of potential vascular sources of subdural bleeding and could also be used to further develop computational models of infant head injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma C Cheshire
- East Midlands Forensic Pathology Unit, Robert Kilpatrick Building, Level 3 Leicester Royal Infirmary, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK.
| | - Roger D G Malcomson
- Histopathology Department, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Close, Leicester, LE1 5WW, UK
| | - Peng Sun
- Mathematics Department, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Evgeny M Mirkes
- Mathematics Department, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Jasmin M Amoroso
- East Midlands Forensic Pathology Unit, Robert Kilpatrick Building, Level 3 Leicester Royal Infirmary, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Guy N Rutty
- East Midlands Forensic Pathology Unit, Robert Kilpatrick Building, Level 3 Leicester Royal Infirmary, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
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Abstract
The pathophysiology of acute-on-chronic subdural hematoma (ACSDH) is complex and incompletely understood. Evidence to date indicates that the overall process is initiated by rotational force with movement of the brain inside the skull, which exerts tensile strain and rupture of bridging veins, leading in turn to acute hemorrhage in the subdural potential space. This is followed by the proliferation of mesenchymal elements with angiogenesis and inflammation, which in turn becomes a substrate for repeated hemorrhage and expansion of the lesion. Given the prevalence of traumatic subdural processes in the forensic setting and the importance of proper assessment of timing, etiology, risk factors, and clinicopathological correlation, we studied 47 patients presenting to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, all of whom underwent craniotomy with resection of the outer membrane due to symptomatic ACSDH. The surgically resected tissue was examined for histopathologic features in all cases. Our findings highlight that ACSDH is a condition precipitated by trauma that affects middle-aged and older adults, is relatively indolent, is unilateral or asymmetric, and has a low in-hospital mortality rate. Pathological analysis demonstrates a substantial outer membrane in all cases with varying degrees of inflammation and organization that cannot be precisely dated as a function of clinical presentation. The extrapolation of adult ACSDH to mixed acute and chronic subdural hemorrhage in the pediatric setting is problematic due to substantial differences in clinical presentation, severity of underlying brain injury, gross and microscopic findings, and outcome.
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Baerg J, Thirumoorthi A, Hazboun R, Vannix R, Krafft P, Zouros A. Cervical spine injuries in young children: pattern and outcomes in accidental versus inflicted trauma. J Surg Res 2017; 219:366-373. [PMID: 29078907 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2017.06.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to compare the cervical spine (c-spine) pattern of injury and outcomes in children below 3 y with a head injury from confirmed inflicted versus accidental trauma. METHODS After Institutional Review Board approval, data were prospectively collected between July 2011 and January 2016. Inclusion criteria were age below 3 y, a loss of consciousness, and any one of the following initial head computed tomography (CT) findings (subdural hematoma, intraventricular, intraparenchymal, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or cerebral edema). A protocol of brain and neck magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography was instituted. Brain and neck imaging results, clinical variables, and outcomes were recorded. Data were compared by t-test for continuous and Fisher exact test for categorical variables. RESULTS 73 children were identified, 52 (71%) with inflicted and 21 (29%) with accidental trauma. The median age was 11 mo; (range: 1-35 mo). Ten (14%) had c-spine injuries, 7/52 (13%) inflicted, and 3/21 (14%) accidental. The mechanism was shaking for all inflicted and motor vehicle accident or pedestrian struck for accidental c-spine injuries. The inflicted group were significantly younger (P = 0.03), had higher Injury Severity Scores (P = 0.02), subdural hematomas (P = 0.03), fractures (P = 0.03), retinal hemorrhages (P = 0.02), brain infarcts (P = 0.01), and required cardiopulmonary resuscitation (P = 0.01). Seven with inflicted trauma died from brain injury (9.5%), one had atlanto-occipital dissociation. Six mortalities (86%) had no c-spine injury. Six with inflicted c-spine injuries survived with neurologic impairment, whereas three with accidental survived without disability, including one atlanto-occipital dissociation. CONCLUSIONS Compared to accidental trauma, young children with inflicted c-spine injuries have more multisystem trauma, long-term disability from brain injury, and an injury pattern consistent with shaking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Baerg
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California.
| | - Arul Thirumoorthi
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
| | - Rajaie Hazboun
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
| | - Rosemary Vannix
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
| | - Paul Krafft
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
| | - Alexander Zouros
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
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Baerg J, Thirumoorthi A, Vannix R, Taha A, Young A, Zouros A. Cervical spine imaging for young children with inflicted trauma: Expanding the injury pattern. J Pediatr Surg 2017; 52:816-821. [PMID: 28190553 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2017.01.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM The purpose of this study was to document the incidence and pattern of cervical spine (c-spine) injuries in children below 36months with inflicted trauma. METHODS An IRB approved, prospective cohort study was performed between July 2011 and January 2016. Inclusion criteria were: age below 36months, loss of consciousness after inflicted trauma, and one initial head computed tomography finding: a subdural, intraventricular, intraparenchymal, subarachnoid hemorrhage, diffuse axonal injury, hypoxic injury, or cerebral edema. A protocol of brain and neck magnetic resonance imaging and angiography was obtained within 48h. Variables were compared by t-test and Fisher-exact test. RESULTS There were 53 children (median age: five months; range: 1-35months), 38 males (71.7%), of which seven died (13.2%). C-spine injury was identified in 8 (15.1%): ligamentous injury (2), vertebral artery shear injury (1), atlantooccipital dissociation (AOD) (1), cord injury with cord epidural hematoma (2), and isolated cord epidural hematoma (2). Retinal hemorrhages (p=0.02), shaking (p=0.04), lower Glasgow coma score (GCS) (p=0.01), brain infarcts (p=0.01), and hypoxic/ischemic injury (p=0.01) were associated with c-spine injury. One with AOD died. Six had significant disability. CONCLUSION For small children with inflicted trauma, the c-spine injury incidence is 15.1%. The injury pattern includes retinal hemorrhages, shaking, lower GCS, and brain injury. Evaluation of shaken infants should include c-spine imaging. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 2 A- This is a prospective cohort study with complete follow-up to hospital discharge or death. In all cases, inflicted trauma was confirmed. Owing to the nature of child abuse, the precise time of injury is not known. All children underwent a strict imaging protocol on arrival to hospital that was supervised on a prospective basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Baerg
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA.
| | - Arul Thirumoorthi
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA
| | - Rosemary Vannix
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA
| | - Asma Taha
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA
| | - Amy Young
- Division of Forensic Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA
| | - Alexander Zouros
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA
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Statistical significance does not imply (forensic medical) relevance. Pediatr Radiol 2017; 47:628-629. [PMID: 28255688 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-017-3803-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Cheshire EC, Malcomson RDG, Joseph S, Adnan A, Adlam D, Rutty GN. Post-mortem imaging of the infant and perinatal dura mater and superior sagittal sinus using optical coherence tomography. Int J Legal Med 2017; 131:1377-1383. [PMID: 28389927 PMCID: PMC5556134 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-017-1570-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Infants and young children are likely to present with subdural haemorrhage (SDH) if they are the victims of abusive head trauma. In these cases, the most accepted theory for the source of bleeding is the bridging veins traversing from the surface of the brain to the dura mater. However, some have suggested that SDH may result from leakage of blood from a dural vascular plexus. As post-mortem examination of the bridging veins and dura is challenging, and imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance and computed tomography do not have the resolution capabilities to image small blood vessels, we have trialled the use of intravascular and benchtop optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems for imaging from within the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and through the dura during five infant/perinatal autopsies. Numerous vessel-like structures were identified using both OCT systems. Measurements taken with the intravascular rotational system indicate that the approximate median diameters of blood vessels entering anterior and posterior segments of the SSS were 110 μm (range 70 to 670 μm, n = 21) and 125 μm (range 70 to 740 μm, n = 23), respectively. For blood vessels close to the wall of the SSS, the median diameters for anterior and posterior segments of the SSS were 80 μm (range 40 to 170 μm, n = 25) and 90 μm (range 30 to 150 μm), respectively. Detailed characterisation of the dural vasculature is important to aid understanding of the source of SDH. High resolution 3-dimensional reconstructions of the infant dural vasculature may be possible with further development of OCT systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma C Cheshire
- East Midlands Forensic Pathology Unit, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Building, Level 3 Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK.
| | - Roger D G Malcomson
- Histopathology Department, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Close, Leicester, LE1 5WW, UK
| | - Shiju Joseph
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Glenfield Hospital, Groby Road, Leicester, LE3 9QP, UK
| | - Asif Adnan
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Glenfield Hospital, Groby Road, Leicester, LE3 9QP, UK
| | - David Adlam
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Glenfield Hospital, Groby Road, Leicester, LE3 9QP, UK
| | - Guy N Rutty
- East Midlands Forensic Pathology Unit, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Building, Level 3 Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
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Kralik SF, Yasrebi M, Supakul N, Lin C, Netter LG, Hicks RA, Hibbard RA, Ackerman LL, Harris ML, Ho CY. Diagnostic Performance of Ultrafast Brain MRI for Evaluation of Abusive Head Trauma. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2017; 38:807-813. [PMID: 28183837 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a5093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE MR imaging with sedation is commonly used to detect intracranial traumatic pathology in the pediatric population. Our purpose was to compare nonsedated ultrafast MR imaging, noncontrast head CT, and standard MR imaging for the detection of intracranial trauma in patients with potential abusive head trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective study was performed in 24 pediatric patients who were evaluated for potential abusive head trauma. All patients received noncontrast head CT, ultrafast brain MR imaging without sedation, and standard MR imaging with general anesthesia or an immobilizer, sequentially. Two pediatric neuroradiologists independently reviewed each technique blinded to other modalities for intracranial trauma. We performed interreader agreement and consensus interpretation for standard MR imaging as the criterion standard. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated for ultrafast MR imaging, noncontrast head CT, and combined ultrafast MR imaging and noncontrast head CT. RESULTS Interreader agreement was moderate for ultrafast MR imaging (κ = 0.42), substantial for noncontrast head CT (κ = 0.63), and nearly perfect for standard MR imaging (κ = 0.86). Forty-two percent of patients had discrepancies between ultrafast MR imaging and standard MR imaging, which included detection of subarachnoid hemorrhage and subdural hemorrhage. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were obtained for any traumatic pathology for each examination: ultrafast MR imaging (50%, 100%, 100%, 31%), noncontrast head CT (25%, 100%, 100%, 21%), and a combination of ultrafast MR imaging and noncontrast head CT (60%, 100%, 100%, 33%). Ultrafast MR imaging was more sensitive than noncontrast head CT for the detection of intraparenchymal hemorrhage (P = .03), and the combination of ultrafast MR imaging and noncontrast head CT was more sensitive than noncontrast head CT alone for intracranial trauma (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS In abusive head trauma, ultrafast MR imaging, even combined with noncontrast head CT, demonstrated low sensitivity compared with standard MR imaging for intracranial traumatic pathology, which may limit its utility in this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- S F Kralik
- From the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences (S.F.K., M.Y., N.S., C.L., L.G.N., C.Y.H.)
| | - M Yasrebi
- From the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences (S.F.K., M.Y., N.S., C.L., L.G.N., C.Y.H.)
| | - N Supakul
- From the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences (S.F.K., M.Y., N.S., C.L., L.G.N., C.Y.H.)
| | - C Lin
- From the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences (S.F.K., M.Y., N.S., C.L., L.G.N., C.Y.H.)
| | - L G Netter
- From the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences (S.F.K., M.Y., N.S., C.L., L.G.N., C.Y.H.)
| | - R A Hicks
- Child Protective Program (R.A. Hicks, R.A. Hibbard)
| | - R A Hibbard
- Child Protective Program (R.A. Hicks, R.A. Hibbard)
| | | | - M L Harris
- Neurology (M.L.H.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - C Y Ho
- From the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences (S.F.K., M.Y., N.S., C.L., L.G.N., C.Y.H.)
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Lindberg DM, Wood JN, Campbell KA, Scribano PV, Laskey A, Leventhal JM, Pierce MC, Runyan DK. Research priorities for a multi-center child abuse pediatrics network - CAPNET. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2017; 65:152-157. [PMID: 28161656 PMCID: PMC5774239 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/21/2017] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Although child maltreatment medical research has benefited from several multi-center studies, the new specialty of child abuse pediatrics has not had a sustainable network capable of pursuing multiple, prospective, clinically-oriented studies. The Child Abuse Pediatrics Network (CAPNET) is a new multi-center research network dedicated to child maltreatment medical research. In order to establish a relevant, practical research agenda, we conducted a modified Delphi process to determine the topic areas with highest priority for such a network. Research questions were solicited from members of the Ray E. Helfer Society and study authors and were sorted into topic areas. These topic areas were rated for priority using iterative rounds of ratings and in-person meetings. The topics rated with the highest priority were missed diagnosis and selected/indicated prevention. This agenda can be used to target future multi-center child maltreatment medical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Lindberg
- The Kempe Center for the Prevention & Treatment of Child Abuse & Neglect, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12401 E. 17th Ave. Mailstop B-215, Aurora, CO 80045, United States.
| | - Joanne N Wood
- Division of General Pediatrics and PolicyLab, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Safe Place: Center for Child Protection and Health, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, United States.
| | - Kristine A Campbell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.
| | - Philip V Scribano
- Safe Place: Center for Child Protection and Health, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, United States.
| | - Antoinette Laskey
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.
| | - John M Leventhal
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.
| | - Mary Clyde Pierce
- Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, United States.
| | - Desmond K Runyan
- The Kempe Center for the Prevention & Treatment of Child Abuse & Neglect, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12401 E. 17th Ave. Mailstop B-215, Aurora, CO 80045, United States.
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Child Abuse and Neglect. Fam Med 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-04414-9_27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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KARIBE H, KAMEYAMA M, HAYASHI T, NARISAWA A, TOMINAGA T. Acute Subdural Hematoma in Infants with Abusive Head Trauma: A Literature Review. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 2016; 56:264-73. [PMID: 26960448 PMCID: PMC4870181 DOI: 10.2176/nmc.ra.2015-0308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of cases with child abuse is increasing in Japan, and abusive head trauma (AHT) is a major cause of death in abused children. Child abuse has been recognized by the late 19th century, and widely accepted as battered child syndrome in the middle of the 20th century. As terms, there had been considerable mechanistic controversies between shaken-baby and -impact syndrome until the beginning of the 21st century. In recent years, AHT has been utilized as a less mechanistic term. Most of the characteristics of AHT in Japan have been similar to those in the United States as follows: infant is the most common victim, acute subdural hematoma (SDH) is the most common intracranial lesion, and retinal hemorrhage is often complicated. On the other hand, several characteristics have been different as follows: mother is the most common perpetrators, impact is a more common mechanism of trauma than shaking, and external trauma is more common reflecting the existence of impact. Since AHT as well as child abuse is a social pathological phenomenon influenced by victims, perpetrators, socioeconomic circumstances, and so on, various aspects of AHT as well as child abuse can be changed with times. Actually, a recent paper suggests such changes in infants with acute SDH due to AHT. In this review article, AHT, abusive infantile acute SDH in particular, are reviewed from the aspect of neurosurgical perspectives, including its mechanisms of trauma, biomechanics, clinical features, management, and prognosis, to update the trend in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi KARIBE
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sendai City Hospital, Sendai, Miyagi
| | | | - Toshiaki HAYASHI
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sendai City Hospital, Sendai, Miyagi
| | - Ayumi NARISAWA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sendai City Hospital, Sendai, Miyagi
| | - Teiji TOMINAGA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi
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Delgado Álvarez I, de la Torre IBM, Vázquez Méndez É. The radiologist's role in child abuse: imaging protocol and differential diagnosis. RADIOLOGIA 2016; 58 Suppl 2:119-28. [PMID: 27091551 DOI: 10.1016/j.rx.2016.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2015] [Revised: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Child abuse or nonaccidental trauma is a major problem worldwide; in Spain, there are about 12,000 victims per year. The detection of specific lesions or findings that are incongruent with the reported mechanism of trauma mean that radiologists are often the physician responsible for sounding the alarm in cases of abuse. The triad consisting of subdural hematoma, metaphyseal fracture, and posterior rib fractures is very characteristic of the battered child syndrome. The finding of acute and chronic lesions in the same patient is highly specific for nonaccidental trauma. Fractures of long bones in patients who have yet begun to walk should also alert to possible child abuse. Lesions that are highly specific for abuse, such as classic metaphyseal fractures or posterior rib fractures, can be difficult to demonstrate radiographically and are usually clinically occult. The American College of Radiology (ACR) protocols recommend obtaining three separate X-rays of each upper and lower limb. It is important to use X-ray systems that give high resolution images with low kilovoltage (50-70 kvp) and appropriate milliamperage. A skeletal survey consisting of a series of images collimated to each body region is recommended for all children under the age of two years in whom abuse is suspected. A follow-up skeletal survey about two weeks after the initial survey is useful for detecting new fractures and for assessing the consolidation of others, which helps in dating the lesions. Head injuries are the leading cause of death in abused children. Although computed tomography is the first neuroimaging technique in nonaccidental trauma, magnetic resonance imaging of the head can better characterize the lesions seen on computed tomography and can help to estimate the age of the lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Delgado Álvarez
- Departamento de Radiología Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario Materno Infantil Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España.
| | | | - É Vázquez Méndez
- Departamento de Radiología Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario Materno Infantil Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
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Cramer JA, Rassner UA, Hedlund GL. Limitations of T2*-Gradient Recalled-Echo and Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging in Characterizing Chronic Subdural Hemorrhage in Infant Survivors of Abusive Head Trauma. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2016; 37:1752-6. [PMID: 27032973 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a4769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
A possible misconception among radiologists is that chronic subdural hemorrhage should show some degree of blooming on T2*-gradient recalled-echo or susceptibility-weighted sequences such as SWI and susceptibility-weighted angiography, which is not necessarily true. We present 5 cases of chronic subdural hemorrhages in infants, demonstrating intensity near or greater than that of CSF with variable amounts of hemosiderin staining along the neomembranes. We review the physiology and MR imaging physics behind the appearance of a chronic subdural hemorrhage, highlighting that the absence of a BBB can allow hemosiderin to be completely removed from the subdural compartment. Finally, we stress the importance of reviewing all multiplanar sequences for the presence of neomembranes, which can be quite subtle in the absence of hemosiderin staining and are critical for making the diagnosis of chronic subdural hemorrhage.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Cramer
- From the Department of Radiology (J.A.C., U.A.R.), University of Utah Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - U A Rassner
- From the Department of Radiology (J.A.C., U.A.R.), University of Utah Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - G L Hedlund
- Department of Radiology (G.L.H.), Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Feldman KW, Sugar NF, Browd SR. Initial clinical presentation of children with acute and chronic versus acute subdural hemorrhage resulting from abusive head trauma. J Neurosurg Pediatr 2015; 16:177-85. [PMID: 25932780 DOI: 10.3171/2014.12.peds14607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECT At presentation, children who have experienced abusive head trauma (AHT) often have subdural hemorrhage (SDH) that is acute, chronic, or both. Controversy exists whether the acute SDH associated with chronic SDH results from trauma or from spontaneous rebleeding. The authors compared the clinical presentations of children with AHT and acute SDH with those having acute and chronic SDH (acute/chronic SDH). METHODS The study was a multicenter retrospective review of children who had experienced AHT during 2004-2009. The authors compared the clinical and radiological characteristics of children with acute SDH to those of children with acute/chronic SDH. RESULTS The study included 383 children with AHT and either acute SDH (n = 291) or acute/chronic SDH (n = 92). The children with acute/chronic SDH were younger, had higher initial Glasgow Coma Scale scores, fewer deaths, fewer skull fractures, less parenchymal brain injury, and fewer acute noncranial fractures than did children with acute SDH. No between-group differences were found for the proportion with retinal hemorrhages, healing noncranial fractures, or acute abusive bruises. A similar proportion (approximately 80%) of children with acute/chronic SDH and with acute SDH had retinal hemorrhages or acute or healing extracranial injures. Of children with acute/chronic SDH, 20% were neurologically asymptomatic at presentation; almost half of these children were seen for macrocephaly, and for all of them, the acute SDH was completely within the area of the chronic SDH. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the presenting clinical and radiological characteristics of children with acute SDH and acute/chronic SDH caused by AHT did not differ, suggesting that repeated abuse, rather than spontaneous rebleeding, is the etiology of most acute SDH in children with chronic SDH. However, more severe neurological symptoms were more common among children with acute SDH. Children with acute/chronic SDH and asymptomatic macrocephaly have unique risks and distinct radiological and clinical characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Naomi F Sugar
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Protection Program, and
| | - Samuel R Browd
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Seattle Children's and Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Yanai H, Tapia-Nieto R, Cherubini GB, Caine A. Results of magnetic resonance imaging performed within 48 hours after head trauma in dogs and association with outcome: 18 cases (2007–2012). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2015; 246:1222-9. [DOI: 10.2460/javma.246.11.1222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Wittschieber D, Karger B, Niederstadt T, Pfeiffer H, Hahnemann ML. Reply: To PMID 24948499. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2015; 36:E37. [PMID: 25767188 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a4327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D Wittschieber
- Department of Forensic Medicine University Hospital Münster Münster, Germany
| | - B Karger
- Department of Forensic Medicine University Hospital Münster Münster, Germany
| | - T Niederstadt
- Department of Clinical Radiology University Hospital Münster Münster, Germany
| | - H Pfeiffer
- Department of Forensic Medicine University Hospital Münster Münster, Germany
| | - M L Hahnemann
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology University Hospital Essen Essen, Germany
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Wittschieber D, Karger B, Niederstadt T, Pfeiffer H, Hahnemann ML. Subdural hygromas in abusive head trauma: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and forensic implications. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2015; 36:432-9. [PMID: 24948499 PMCID: PMC8013070 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a3989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Are subdural hygromas the result of abusive head trauma? CT and MR imaging represent important tools for the diagnosis of abusive head trauma in living infants. In addition, in-depth understanding of the pathogenesis of subdural hygromas is increasingly required by neuroradiologists, pediatricians, and forensic physicians. Therefore, the current knowledge on subdural hygromas is summarized and forensic conclusions are drawn. The most important diagnostic pitfalls, benign enlargement of the subarachnoid space, and chronic subdural hematoma, are discussed in detail. Illustrative cases from forensic practice are presented. Literature analysis indicates that subdural hygromas can occur immediately or be delayed. If other infrequent reasons can be excluded, the presence of subdural hygromas strongly suggests a posttraumatic state and should prompt the physician to search for other signs of abuse. To differentiate subdural hygromas from other pathologies, additional MR imaging of the infant's head is indispensable after initial CT scan.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Wittschieber
- From the Departments of Forensic Medicine (D.W., B.K., H.P.)
| | - B Karger
- From the Departments of Forensic Medicine (D.W., B.K., H.P.)
| | - T Niederstadt
- Clinical Radiology (T.N.), University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - H Pfeiffer
- From the Departments of Forensic Medicine (D.W., B.K., H.P.)
| | - M L Hahnemann
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology (M.L.H.), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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44
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Graff A. Child Abuse and Neglect. Fam Med 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_27-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Vázquez E, Delgado I, Sánchez-Montañez A, Fábrega A, Cano P, Martín N. Imaging abusive head trauma: why use both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging? Pediatr Radiol 2014; 44 Suppl 4:S589-603. [PMID: 25501731 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-014-3216-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2014] [Revised: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 10/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Abusive head trauma is the leading cause of death in child abuse cases. The majority of victims are infants younger than 1 year old, with the average age between 3 and 8 months, although these injuries can be seen in children up to 5 years old. Many victims have a history of previous abuse and the diagnosis is frequently delayed. Neuroimaging is often crucial for establishing the diagnosis of abusive head trauma as it detects occult injury in 37% of cases. Several imaging patterns are considered to be particularly associated with abusive head trauma. The presence of subdural hematoma, especially in multiple locations, such as the interhemispheric region, over the convexity and in the posterior fossa, is significantly associated with abusive head trauma. Although CT is the recommended first-line imaging modality for suspected abusive head trauma, early MRI is increasingly used alongside CT because it provides a better estimation of shear injuries, hypoxic-ischemic insult and the timing of lesions. This article presents a review of the use and clinical indications of the most pertinent neuroimaging modalities for the diagnosis of abusive head trauma, emphasizing the newer and more sensitive techniques that may be useful to better characterize the nature and evolution of the injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elida Vázquez
- Pediatric Radiology Department, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, UAB, Psg. Vall d'Hebron, 112-119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain,
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Silvera VM, Danehy AR, Newton AW, Stamoulis C, Carducci C, Grant PE, Wilson CR, Kleinman PK. Retroclival collections associated with abusive head trauma in children. Pediatr Radiol 2014; 44 Suppl 4:S621-31. [PMID: 25501734 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-014-3170-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Revised: 06/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Retroclival collections are rare lesions reported almost exclusively in children and strongly associated with trauma. We examine the incidence and imaging characteristics of retroclival collections in young children with abusive head trauma. We conducted a database search to identify children with abusive head trauma ≤ 3 years of age with brain imaging performed between 2007 and 2013. Clinical data and brain images of 65 children were analyzed. Retroclival collections were identified in 21 of 65 (32%) children. Ten (48%) were subdural, 3 (14%) epidural, 2 (10%) both, and 6 (28%) indeterminate. Only 8 of 21 retroclival collections were identifiable on CT and most were low or intermediate in attenuation. Eighteen of 21 retroclival collections were identifiable on MRI: 3 followed cerebral spinal fluid in signal intensity and 15 were bloody/proteinaceous. Additionally, 2 retroclival collections demonstrated a fluid-fluid level and 2 enhanced in the 5 children who received contrast material. Sagittal T1-weighted images, sagittal fluid-sensitive sequences, and axial FLAIR (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) images showed the retroclival collections best. Retroclival collections were significantly correlated with supratentorial and posterior fossa subdural hematomas and were not statistically correlated with skull fracture or parenchymal brain injury. Retroclival collections, previously considered rare lesions strongly associated with accidental injury, were commonly identified in this cohort of children with abusive head trauma, suggesting that retroclival collections are an important component of the imaging spectrum in abusive head trauma. Retroclival collections were better demonstrated on MRI than CT, were commonly identified in conjunction with intracranial subdural hematomas, and were not significantly correlated with the severity of brain injury or with skull fractures.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Michelle Silvera
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Ave, 02115, Boston, MA, USA,
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Choudhary AK, Ishak R, Zacharia TT, Dias MS. Imaging of spinal injury in abusive head trauma: a retrospective study. Pediatr Radiol 2014; 44:1130-40. [PMID: 24687620 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-014-2959-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal imaging has been a neglected part of abusive head trauma (AHT) imaging. As most of the radiographs and CT spine are negative in AHT in infants, the cervical spine is assumed to be normal. There is increasing evidence in the role of injury to brainstem and cervical cord in the pathogenesis of AHT. In addition, in courts of law, there is fierce debate about AHT, its mimics and other disparate nontraumatic diagnoses explaining the neuroradiological and skeletal findings. However, this discussion ignores the evidence and significance of spinal injury. We sought to study the cervical spine in an AHT cohort to understand the true prevalence of spinal injuries in AHT and contrast it with cohorts of accidental and nontraumatic groups to give the clinicians a robust diagnostic tool in evaluating AHT. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to compare the relative incidence of spinal ligamentous and soft-tissue abnormalities on spinal MRI among three groups of children ages <48 months: 1) those with AHT, 2) those with accidental trauma, and 3) those with nontraumatic conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS This comparative study included 183 children who underwent spine MRI: 67 with AHT, 46 with accidental trauma and a clinical suspicion of spinal injury, and 70 with nontraumatic conditions. Clinical and radiographic findings were collected in all cases and were analyzed retrospectively to identify MRI evidence of traumatic spinal injuries. The incidence of spinal injuries among the three groups was compared. The incidence of spinal ligamentous injuries was calculated for those with and without radiographic evidence of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. All comparisons were performed using Fisher exact test with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS Cervical spine ligamentous injuries (predominantly the nuchal, atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial ligaments) were present in 78% of the AHT group, 46% of the accidental trauma group and 1% of the nontraumatic group; all of these differences were statistically significant. Among the AHT group, ligamentous injuries were statistically correlated with evidence of brain ischemia. CONCLUSION Injury to the cervical spinal posterior ligamentous complex is common in AHT and even more prevalent than in clinically symptomatic traumatic cases. The high correlation between the radiographic findings of occipitocervical ligamentous injuries and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury is consistent with an interpretation that transient upper occipitocervical spinal cord injury in AHT leads to disordered breathing and results in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. We recommend imaging the entire spine in AHT to properly identify and classify these injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arabinda K Choudhary
- Department of Radiology, Nemours A.I. DuPont Children Hospital, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA,
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Sieswerda-Hoogendoorn T, Postema FAM, Verbaan D, Majoie CB, van Rijn RR. Age determination of subdural hematomas with CT and MRI: a systematic review. Eur J Radiol 2014; 83:1257-1268. [PMID: 24816086 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2014.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To systematically review the literature on dating subdural hematomas (SDHs) on CT and MRI scans. METHODS We performed a systematic review in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane to search for articles that described the appearance of SDHs on CT or MRI in relation to time between trauma and scanning. Two researchers independently screened the articles, assessed methodological quality and performed data extraction. Medians with interquartile ranges were calculated. Differences were tested with a Mann-Whitney U or Kruskal-Wallis H test. RESULTS We included 22 studies describing 973 SDHs on CT and 4 studies describing 83 SDHs on MRI. Data from 17 studies (413 SDHs) could be pooled. There were significant differences between time intervals for the different densities on CT (p<0.001). Time interval differed significantly between children and adults for iso- and hypodensity (p=0.000) and hyperdensity (p=0.046). Time interval did not differ significantly between abused and non-abused children. On MRI, time intervals for different signal intensities on T1 and T2 did not differ significantly (p=0.108 and p=0.194, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Most time intervals of the different appearances of SDHs on CT and MRI are broad and overlapping. Therefore CT or MRI findings cannot be used to accurately date SDHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Sieswerda-Hoogendoorn
- Section of Forensic Pediatrics, Department of Forensic Medicine, Netherlands Forensic Institute, PO Box 24044, 2490 AA The Hague, The Netherlands; Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Center/Emma Children's Hospital, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Floor A M Postema
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Dagmar Verbaan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Charles B Majoie
- Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Center/Emma Children's Hospital, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Rick R van Rijn
- Section of Forensic Pediatrics, Department of Forensic Medicine, Netherlands Forensic Institute, PO Box 24044, 2490 AA The Hague, The Netherlands; Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Center/Emma Children's Hospital, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Melo JRT, Di Rocco F, Bourgeois M, Puget S, Blauwblomme T, Sainte-Rose C, Meyer PG, Zerah M. Surgical options for treatment of traumatic subdural hematomas in children younger than 2 years of age. J Neurosurg Pediatr 2014; 13:456-61. [PMID: 24559279 DOI: 10.3171/2014.1.peds13393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECT Subdural hematoma (SDH) is the most common finding on cranial CT in pediatric victims of abusive head trauma (AHT). The hematomas are commonly bilateral and sometimes associated with interhemispheric hyperdensity and/or convexity hemorrhages. There is no consensus regarding the best surgical treatment in such cases nor are there standardized surgical protocols. The authors report their experience and discuss the routine surgical options in the management of traumatic SDH at a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center. METHODS In this paper, the authors describe a cross-sectional study with consecutive revision of data described in the medical records of Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants Malades between January 2008 and January 2013. During this period, all children younger than 2 years of age who were admitted with a traumatic SDH identified on CT scans were included in this study. RESULTS One hundred eighty-four children who had SDH and were younger than 2 years of age were included. Their median age was 5.8 months (range 5 days-23 months), and 70% of the children were male. On admission CT scans, the SDH was bilateral in 52% of cases and homogeneously hypodense in 77%. Neurosurgical treatment was undertaken in 111 children (60%) with an admission Glasgow Coma Scale score of 12 or less, bulging fontanels, or other signs suggestive of intracranial hypertension. The first surgical option was craniotomy in 1.8% (2) of these 111 cases, decompressive craniectomy in 1.8% (2), transcutaneous subdural puncture in 15% (17), external subdural drainage in 16% (18), subdural-subgaleal shunt placement in 17% (19), and subdural-peritoneal shunt placement in 48% (53). In 82% of the children initially treated with transcutaneous subdural puncture and in 50% of those treated with external subdural drainage, increase or persistence of the SDH, CSF or skin infection, or shunt system malfunction was observed and further surgical intervention was required. There was a 26% rate of complications in patients initially treated with a subdural-peritoneal shunt. Although 52% of the patients had bilateral SDH, bilateral drainage was only required in 9.4%. CONCLUSIONS The choice of treatment should be determined by the clinical and radiological characteristics of the individual case. Although effective on an emergency basis, subdural puncture and external subdural drainage are frequently insufficient to obtain complete resolution of SDH, and temporary placement of a subdural-peritoneal shunt is needed in most cases.
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Postema FAM, Sieswerda-Hoogendoorn T, Majoie CBLM, van Rijn RR. Age determination of subdural hematomas: survey among radiologists. Emerg Radiol 2014; 21:349-58. [PMID: 24553773 DOI: 10.1007/s10140-014-1196-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2013] [Accepted: 01/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Abusive head trauma is a severe form of child abuse. One important diagnostic finding is the presence of a subdural hematoma. Age determination of subdural hematomas is important to relate radiological findings to the clinical history presented by the caregivers. In court this topic is relevant as dating subdural hematomas can lead to identification of a suspect. The aim of our study is to describe the current practice among radiologists in the Netherlands regarding the age determination of subdural hematomas in children. This is a cross-sectional study, describing the results of an online questionnaire regarding dating subdural hematomas among pediatric and neuro-radiologists in the Netherlands. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic questions, theoretical questions and eight pediatric cases in which the participants were asked to date subdural hematomas based on imaging findings. Fifty-one out of 172 radiologists (30 %) filled out the questionnaire. The percentage of participants that reported it was possible to date the subdural hematoma varied between 58 and 90 % for the eight different cases. In four of eight cases (50 %), the age of the subdural hematoma as known from clinical history fell within the range reported by the participants. None of the participants was "very certain" of their age determination. The results demonstrate that there is a considerable practice variation among Dutch radiologists regarding the age determination of subdural hematomas. This implicates that dating of subdural hematomas is not suitable to use in court, as no uniformity among experts exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- F A M Postema
- Faculty of Medicine, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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