Parenchymal Brain Laceration as a Predictor of Abusive Head Trauma.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Accurate differentiation of abusive head trauma and accidental head injury in infants and young children is critical and impacts clinical care, patient prognosis, forensic investigations, and medicolegal proceedings. No specific finding seen on cross-sectional brain imaging has been reported to distinguish abusive head trauma from accidental injury. Our study investigated whether a specific imaging finding, parenchymal brain laceration, is unique to children diagnosed with abusive head trauma.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively identified 137 patients with abusive head trauma and 28 patients who incurred moderate to severe accidental brain injury. Brain MR imaging represented the imaging standard for characterizing intracranial injuries.

Resul

SUBMITTER: Palifka LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7960215 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature