Intraosseous vascular access defect: fracture mimic in the skeletal survey for child abuse.
Two infants were transferred to the emergency department for injuries suggestive of child abuse. Skeletal surveys showed cortical bone defects in the proximal tibiae that were initially interpreted as healing fractures. Further investigation, however, revealed that intraosseous (IO) vascular access needles had been placed at these sites in both infants. In the appropriate clinical setting, a cortical lesion in the proximal tibia corresponding to the site of IO needle insertion should not be mistaken for a radiographic sign of child abuse.
Harty
Mary P
MP
Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242, USA. mary-harty@uiowa.edu
Kao
Simon C
SC
D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017148:Infusions, Intraosseous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis*