title: Abusive head trauma Part II: radiological aspects.
abstract: Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a relatively common cause of neurotrauma in young children. Radiology plays an important role in establishing a diagnosis and assessing a prognosis. Computed tomography (CT), followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), is the best tool for neuroimaging. There is no evidence-based approach for the follow-up of AHT; both repeat CT and MRI are currently used but literature is not conclusive. A full skeletal survey according to international guidelines should always be performed to obtain information on possible underlying bone diseases or injuries suspicious for child abuse. Cranial ultrasonography is not indicated as a diagnostic modality for the evaluation of AHT. If there is a suspicion of AHT, this should be communicated with the clinicians immediately in order to arrange protective measures as long as AHT is part of the differential diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The final diagnosis of AHT can never be based on radiological findings only; this should always be made in a multidisciplinary team assessment where all clinical and psychosocial information is combined and judged by a group of experts in the field.
authors.affiliation: Section Forensic Paediatrics, Department of Forensic Medicine, Netherlands Forensic Institute, The Hague, The Netherlands. T.Sieswerda@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: Tessa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sieswerda-Hoogendoorn
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boos
authors.forename: Betty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Spivack
authors.forename: Rob A C
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bilo
authors.forename: Rick R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: van Rijn
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012886:Skull / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
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