Citation

Barber I, Kleinman PK. Pediatr. Radiol. 2014; 44: 613-620.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatric Radiology, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Av Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain, ibarber@vhebron.net.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00247-014-3099-5

PMID

25501733

Abstract

Skeletal injuries are commonly encountered in infants and young children with abusive head trauma. Although certain patterns of intracranial injury suggest abuse, none are diagnostic. Therefore demonstration of associated unsuspected skeletal injuries has important implications, particularly when highly specific fractures are present. Skull fractures are commonly associated with intracranial injury, but no fracture pattern is indicative of physical abuse. Other skeletal injuries including classic metaphyseal lesions and rib, spine and scapular fractures are strong predictors of abusive head trauma in infants with intracranial injury. It is mandatory to perform rigorous skeletal surveys in infants and young children with clinical and neuroimaging findings concerning for abusive head trauma.

Language: en