title: Imaging Findings in Elder Abuse: A Role for Radiologists in Detection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Emergency department assessment represents a critical but often missed opportunity to identify elder abuse, which is common and has serious consequences. Among emergency care providers, diagnostic radiologists are optimally positioned to raise suspicion for mistreatment when reviewing imaging of geriatric injury victims. However, little literature exists describing relevant injury patterns, and most radiologists currently receive neither formal nor informal training in elder abuse identification.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present 2 cases to begin characterisation of the radiographic findings in elder abuse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings from these cases demonstrate similarities to suspicious findings in child abuse including high-energy fractures that are inconsistent with reported mechanisms and the coexistence of acute and chronic injuries. Specific injuries uncommon to accidental injury are also noted, including a distal ulnar diaphyseal fracture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We hope to raise awareness of elder abuse among diagnostic radiologists to encourage future large-scale research, increased focus on chronic osseous findings, and the addition of elder abuse to differential diagnoses.
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA; Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Natalie Z
authors.initials: NZ
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA. Electronic address: aer2006@med.cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Allen M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Medical School, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Bloemen
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Mennitt
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hentel
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Refky
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nicola
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Kieran J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Veronica M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: LoFaso
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Neal E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Flomenbaum
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lachs
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D000072177:Radiologists
keywords: Elder abuse; Elder abuse radiology findings; Geriatric injury; Intentional injury