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01-08-2008 | Review

Neuroimaging of nonaccidental head trauma: pitfalls and controversies

Authors: Sujan Fernando, Ruby E. Obaldo, Irene R. Walsh, Lisa H. Lowe

Published in: Pediatric Radiology | Issue 8/2008

Abstract

Although certain neuroimaging appearances are highly suggestive of abuse, radiological findings are often nonspecific. The objective of this review is to discuss pitfalls, controversies, and mimics occurring in neuroimaging of nonaccidental head trauma in order to allow the reader to establish an increased level of comfort in distinguishing between nonaccidental and accidental head trauma. Specific topics discussed include risk factors, general biomechanics and imaging strategies in nonaccidental head trauma, followed by the characteristics of skull fractures, normal prominent tentorium and falx versus subdural hematoma, birth trauma versus nonaccidental head trauma, hyperacute versus acute on chronic subdural hematomas, expanded subarachnoid space versus subdural hemorrhage, controversy regarding subdural hematomas associated with benign enlarged subarachnoid spaces, controversy regarding hypoxia as a cause of subdural hematoma and/or retinal hemorrhages without trauma, controversy regarding the significance of retinal hemorrhages related to nonaccidental head trauma, controversy regarding the significance of subdural hematomas in general, and pitfalls of glutaric aciduria type 1 and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis mimicking nonaccidental head trauma.

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Title: Neuroimaging of nonaccidental head trauma: pitfalls and controversies
Authors: Sujan Fernando
Ruby E. Obaldo
Irene R. Walsh
Lisa H. Lowe
Publication date: 01-08-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Pediatric Radiology / Issue 8/2008
Print ISSN: 0301-0449
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1998
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-007-0729-1

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Neuroimaging of nonaccidental head trauma: pitfalls and controversies

Abstract

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