Neuroimaging: what neuroradiological features distinguish abusive from non-abusive head trauma? A systematic review
Objectives To identify the evidence base behind the neuroradiological features that differentiate abusive head trauma (AHT) from non-abusive head trauma (nAHT). Design Systematic review. Setting Literature search of 14 databases, websites, textbooks, conference abstracts and references (1970–Februar...
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Published in | Archives of disease in childhood Vol. 96; no. 12; pp. 1103 - 1112 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
London
BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
01.12.2011
BMJ Publishing Group BMJ Publishing Group Ltd BMJ Publishing Group LTD |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Objectives To identify the evidence base behind the neuroradiological features that differentiate abusive head trauma (AHT) from non-abusive head trauma (nAHT). Design Systematic review. Setting Literature search of 14 databases, websites, textbooks, conference abstracts and references (1970–February 2010). Studies had two independent reviews (three if disputed) and critical appraisal. Patients Primary comparative studies of children <11 years old hospitalised with AHT and nAHT diagnosed on CT or MRI. Main outcome measures Neuroradiological features that differentiated AHT from nAHT. Results 21 studies of children predominantly <3 years old were analysed. Subdural haemorrhages (SDH) were significantly associated with AHT (OR 8.2, 95% CI 6.1 to 11). Subarachnoid haemorrhages were seen equally in AHT and nAHT and extradural haemorrhages (EDH) were significantly associated with nAHT (OR for AHT 0.1, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.18). Multiple (OR 6, 95% CI 2.5 to 14.4), interhemispheric (OR 7.9, 95% CI 4.7 to 13), convexity (OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.3 to 19.4) and posterior fossa haemorrhages (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1 to 6) were associated with AHT. Hypoxic-ischaemic injury (HII) (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.4 to 10) and cerebral oedema (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.0 to 4.5) were significantly associated with AHT, while focal parenchymal injury was not a discriminatory feature. SDH of low attenuation were more common in AHT than in nAHT. Conclusion Multiple SDH over the convexity, interhemispheric haemorrhages, posterior fossa SDH, HII and cerebral oedema are significantly associated with AHT and should be considered together with clinical features when identifying the condition. |
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Bibliography: | ark:/67375/NVC-R4SZ51XR-8 href:archdischild-96-1103.pdf local:archdischild;96/12/1103 istex:C853EBA15719B224837CC66208B649773FBBBE05 ArticleID:archdischild-2011-300630 PMID:21965812 ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 ObjectType-Review-4 content type line 23 ObjectType-Undefined-3 |
ISSN: | 0003-9888 1468-2044 |
DOI: | 10.1136/archdischild-2011-300630 |