Battered child: Cranial imaging Findings in a distinct case of Non-accidental injury

Publication date: Available online 25 November 2014 Source:Journal of Forensic Radiology and Imaging Author(s): Lukas Ebner , Andreas Christe , Marwan El-Koussy , Maja Steinlin , Enno Stranzinger , Michael Thali , Patricia M Flach A six months old male infant was referred to the emergency unit having sustained severe head trauma at home. The boy suffered from domestic violence, specifically from repeated "shaking" by the person responsible. The conducted trans-cranial ultrasound acquired in the emergency department exhibited huge bilateral hygromas and brain atrophy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed for further assessment of traumatic brain injury. MRI confirmed prior sonographic findings and additionally showed multifocal grey and white matter lesions consistent with subacute and chronic posttraumatic brain hemorrhage and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. This case should raise awareness for the broad imaging spectrum of non-accidental injuries in infants and serve as a reminder for the usefulness of imaging not only for diagnostics and therapeutics but also for forensic purposes.
Source: Journal of Forensic Radiology and Imaging - Category: Radiology Source Type: research