Radiological imaging plays an important role in diagnosis of the child abuse syndrome. The radiologist must identify specific foci of injury and document that such injuries are the result of abuse. The capacity to identify abuse-related injuries (sensitivity) has been greatly enhanced by technological advances in radiological imaging including radionuclide scintigraphy (skeletal injury); cranial computed tomography (craniocerebral injuries); and body computed tomography/ultrasonography (abdominal injury). This increased sensitivity has resulted in a greater appreciation of the magnitude of abuse related injuries. Specificity, differentiation between accidental and non-accidental injuries, depends on knowledge of the radiologic characteristics and pattern of abuse-related trauma. Specific injuries must be viewed in light of known pathologic response of anatomic structures to mechanical forces, and determination of the chronology of trauma.

Battered Child Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Bilateral nasolacrimal duct mucocele, a rare cause of respiratory distress: CT findings in two newborns.

Two newborns presented with severe respiratory distress caused by nasal obstruction. CT showed bilateral soft-tissue masses located under the inferior turbinates at the level of the inferior meatuses. Histologic examination showed the lesions to be compatible with nasolacrimal mucoceles. The embryology and radiographic features of this rare anomaly are discussed.

Humans↗