Resolving duodenal-jejunal hematoma in abused children

Acute intramural duodenal-jejunal hematoma is a classical finding in the battered child syndrome. The radiographic findings of a large obstructing intramural mass associated with the "coiled-spring" appearance generally raise the question of child abuse in any patient without appropriate accidental injury. In this study the radiologic features of resolving duodenal-jejunal hematoma are detailed in five abused children. The results show that the coiled-spring appearance is an acute phenomenon associated with a well-localized intramural hematoma. In the resolving phase, localized mural masses in the lateral aspect of the descending duodenum and fold thickening are indications of prior intramural hemorrhage. When these radiologic features are encountered in a child with nonspecific abdominal complaints, child abuse should be suspected. Furthermore, in patients with suspected occult trauma, resolution of abdominal symptoms should not deter the radiologist from performing an upper gastrointestinal tract series, which may provide evidence of child abuse.     

Blunt pancreatic trauma in children: CT diagnosis.

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of CT in the diagnosis of pancreatic injury after blunt abdominal trauma in children. Pancreatic injury was diagnosed at surgery, at autopsy, or on the basis of the development of clinical pancreatitis or a pseudocyst on follow-up imaging evaluation in 18 of 1045 consecutive children examined with CT after blunt trauma. Types of pancreatic injury included laceration in 11 children, transection in two, contusion in one, and tumor with hemorrhage in one. Three children had clinical pancreatitis without a pancreatic abnormality noted on CT. The pancreatic injury was prospectively identified on CT in 12 children (67%). The presence of fluid in the lesser sac was a useful marker for injury to the pancreas. This was noted in 13 children with pancreatic injury, whereas it was observed in only six (1%) of 1028 children in the absence of pancreatic injury (sensitivity, 72%; specificity, 99%). Fluid in the anterior pararenal space was less helpful in establishing the diagnosis of pancreatic injury (sensitivity, 44%; specificity, 98%). A pancreatic pseudocyst developed in four of the 11 survivors. Our experience shows that direct signs of pancreatic trauma may be difficult to identify on CT. Recognition of the limitations of CT diagnosis of pancreatic injury is important in helping to reduce errors of interpretation.     

Cranial imaging in child abuse

Serious head injury in children less than 2 years old is often the result of child abuse. The role of the different neuroimaging modalities in child abuse is reviewed. Skull X-ray and cranial CT are mandatory. Repeat or serial imaging may be necessary and brain MR imaging may contribute to the diagnostic work-up, particularly in the absence of characteristic CT findings. The radiologist plays an important role in accurately identifying non-accidental cranial trauma. The clinical presentation can be non-specific or misleading. The possibility should be considered of a combined mechanism, i.e., an underlying condition with superimposed trauma. In this context, the radiologist is in the front line to suggest the possibility of child abuse. It is therefore important to know the spectrum of, sometimes subtle, imaging findings one may encounter. Ophthalmological examination is of the greatest importance and is discussed here, because the combination of retinal hemorrhages and subdural hematoma is very suggestive of non-accidental cranial trauma.     

小儿胰腺损伤诊治分析

目的探讨小儿胰腺损伤临床特点及诊治方法。方法我院自2004年8月～2011年12月共收治胰腺损伤患儿13例,其中Ⅰ度胰腺损伤3例,Ⅱ度7例,Ⅲ度2例,Ⅳ度1例;淀粉酶升高4例。13例患儿均经病史、腹部查体、淀粉酶检测、B超及CT明确诊断,4例经手术探查证实。结果 3例Ⅰ度及6例Ⅱ度经非手术治疗;1例Ⅱ度行腹腔广泛引流;1例Ⅲ度胰腺损伤因膜膜炎行剖探查术,术中见腹腔中等量积液,胰腺中部断裂,胰管未断裂,行断裂修补,局部引流;1例Ⅲ度因形成胰腺假性囊肿行胰腺囊肿-空肠Roux-Y吻合术;1例Ⅳ度行胰腺断裂近端缝合、远端胰腺空肠Roux-Y吻合术。所有患儿均临床治愈。结论小儿胰腺损伤因其症状往往较为隐匿,诊断较为困难,了解胰腺损伤的机制及高度警戒心理有利于胰腺损伤的早期诊断及恰当治疗。胰淀粉酶及脂肪酶升高在胰腺损伤诊断中并不可靠;螺旋CT增强扫描检查应作为胰腺损伤首选检查方法;轻度胰腺损伤多可非手术治愈,重型胰腺损伤合并腹膜炎表现需行剖腹探查并相应处理。     

Imaging of head trauma in child abuse

This article reviews the imaging modalities used to evaluate head trauma received as a consequence of child abuse, signs most indicative of intentional injury, and methods use to data injury. Knowledge of neuroimaging features of child abuse is useful to radiologists who may encounter these children and may be in a position to raise the question of intentional injuries.     

Pseudocyst formation in acute pancreatitis: ultrasonographic evaluation of 99 cases.

A total of 99 patients admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis were studied by abdominal A- and B-mode ultrasonography in an effort to detect pseudocyst formation. Positive ultrasonic scans were noted in 52 cases. In three patients with positive sonography, surgical exploration did not demonstrate pseudocysts, giving a false positive rate of 8.3%. Of the negative studies four were proven incorrect at surgery or autopsy , yielding a false negative rate of 8.5%. Approximately one-fifth with cystic lesions underwent spontaneous resolution. Three additional patients with pseudocysts had spontaneous cyst-enteric fistulization demonstrated by radiography. The sensitivity and accuracy of pancreatic ultrasound demonstrated by this study established ultrasonography as the procedure of choice in detecting pseudocyst formation in patients with acute pancreatitis.     

Imaging of the central nervous system in child abuse: A computer-aided instructional program

This article describes a computer-aided instructional program dealing with diagnosis and classification of central nervous system injuries seen in child abuse. Cases were selected to demonstrate the spectrum of central nervous system injury seen in child abuse, with emphasis on features which can be used to help distinguish child abuse from accidental trauma. A review of the temporal changes of hematomas as seen by magnetic resonance imaging is also provided. Completion of the program requires 25–30 minutes. Free copies of the program may be obtained by contacting the authors.     

Bone scintigraphy in the evaluation of extraskeletal injuries from child abuse

Bone scintigraphy is a valuable imaging modality in the examination of the battered child. It is often used to evaluate skeletal trauma. However, bone scans may also reveal subtle and unusual scintigraphic findings that, if recognized, can lead to the diagnosis of intracranial, visceral, and soft-tissue injury. Several cases of child abuse in which bone scan findings suggested the presence of injuries other than skeletal trauma are presented.     

CT findings in biliary and pancreatic ascariasis

In a child with biliary and pancreatic ascariasis CT demonstrated liver abscesses and a pancreatic pseudocyst, in addition to air in the biliary tree and main pancreatic duct.     

Strangulation in child abuse: CT diagnosis

The central nervous system is commonly affected in child abuse. Between April 1985 and July 1986 three infants were identified in whom the primary mode of injury had been strangulation. In each case computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a large cerebral infarction confined to vascular territories associated with small subdural hematomas. There was no history or visible evidence of significant head trauma. Autopsy of one infant confirmed the presence of a hemispheric infarct, thin subdural hematoma, and an area of subintimal hemorrhage in the carotid artery ipsilateral to the infarct. The remaining two patients survived with residual hemiparesis. CT findings of a large cerebral infarction with an associated subdural hematoma in an infant without a history of a significant trauma should suggest the possibility of child abuse and may be the primary manifestation of abuse in some patients.     

CT of blunt pancreatic trauma: a pictorial essay

Blunt trauma to pancreas is uncommon and clinical features are often non-specific and unreliable leading to possible delays in diagnosis and therefore increased morbidity. CT has been established as the imaging modality of choice for the diagnosis of abdominal solid-organ injury in the blunt trauma patient. The introduction of multidetector-row CT allows for high resolution scans and multiplanar reformations that improve diagnosis. Detection of pancreatic injuries on CT requires knowledge of the subtle changes produced by pancreatic injury. The CT appearance of pancreatic injury ranges from a normal initial appearance of the pancreas to active pancreatic bleeding. Knowledge of CT signs of pancreatic trauma and a high index of suspicion is required in diagnosing pancreatic injury.     

Intentional and unintentional abuse of infants and children

Intentional abuse of an infant is usually apparent. External injuries such as burns, bites, and bruises, as well as the skeletal changes of fractures, frequently multiple and in various stages of healing, are obviously intentionally inflicted, and are impossible accidental injuries for the nonambulatory young infant. Similar injuries in young children may be more difficult to evaluate because of their fear of and intimidation by the person who inflicted the injury. Fortunately, the high degree of suspicion regarding the nature of the injury permits the physician to make his accusations with legal protection in our judicial system. Every radiologist should be concerned with the responsibility of reporting to the referring physician the possibility of intentional trauma to infants and children. In Harris County, where Houston is located, there are 1,500 reports per month of child abuse; in other words, this approximates 18,000 cases a year in our community, and the radiologist is frequently the first physician to see evidence of the abused child. Not only is it a moral responsibility for the radiologist to report his suspicions, but in the state of Texas, as in other states, "any person having cause to believe that a child's physical and mental health, or welfare has been or may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect shall report" to the appropriate agency. A more recent amendment to this law is a penalty for failure to report. A person commits an offense if the person has cause to believe that a child's physical and mental health or welfare has been or may be adversely affected further by abuse or neglect and knowingly fails to report it. It is hoped that any radiologist recognizing either pathognomonic or suspicious signs of child abuse will have the conscience and courage to take a strong stand for the protection of the abused infant or child. Accidental injuries in older children may offer problems in diagnosis if there is no history available or if there is a denial of an injury. Some of these injuries may produce radiographic findings suggesting some form of metaphyseal or diaphyseal dysplasia. Iatrogenic injuries are frequently the result of physiologic or anatomical response to proper and lifesaving treatment. The most serious of these are found in the premature infant, who may suffer chronic lung disease or, more seriously, brain damage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Magnetic resonance applications in cerebral injury.

CT and MR imaging are complementary in the evaluation of cerebral head trauma. CT is still more useful for the initial evaluation of the acutely unstable patient who has a head injury. However, many lesions are identified by MR imaging such as cortical contusions, small subdural hematomas, and diffuse axonal injuries that may not be seen on CT examinations. In addition, MR angiography can play an important role in the diagnostic evaluation of the trauma patient. MR angiography can be clinically useful in delineating vascular abnormalities such as arterial occlusions, arteriovenous fistulae, dissecting aneurysms, and venous sinus occlusion. In pediatric trauma, MR imaging appears to be superior to CT in assessing head injuries, particularly those due to child abuse.     

Spontaneous thrombosis of a traumatic posterior cerebral artery aneurysm in a child

Traumatic posterior circulation aneurysms are rare, especially in children. They are typically associated with severe trauma and are thought to result from either direct osseous injury or stretching or compression of an artery against the tentorium. They may grow, rupture, or both. Although spontaneous thrombosis may occur, it rarely results in complete occlusion. We report the spontaneous and complete thrombosis of a large posterior cerebral artery aneurysm in a child who presented after minor head trauma. Five-year follow-up documents the complete occlusion of the aneurysm.     

Role of radiography in the diagnosis of battered children

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.     

Non-accidental trauma: the role of radiology

Non-accidental trauma is a significant source of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Given the vulnerable state of the child, the radiologist can often provide valuable diagnostic information in the setting of suspected abuse. This review focuses on common findings of abusive trauma and serves as a guide to aid in clinical decision-making for providers of emergency medicine and pediatrics. Amid this discussion is an assessment of modern controversies regarding reported mimicking pathologies, recapitulation of the current state of evidence with respect to radiologic findings of abuse, and examination of the contribution that spine imaging may add to the diagnosis of possible abusive head trauma in the acutely injured child. Recommendations for avoiding pitfalls regarding the dating of intracranial injuries are discussed, and illustrated depictions of perpetrator-induced pathology are provided to aid in the understanding of these injuries. Through the use of the appropriate approach to imaging and evidence-based guidelines regarding radiologic findings, the role of radiology is to provide fundamental clues to diagnose and prevent recurrence of abusive injury in patients who cannot speak for themselves.     

The role of imaging studies in pancreatic injury due to blunt abdominal trauma in children

BACKGROUND: The role imaging studies play in the choice of treatment in traumatic pancreas damage remains unclear. This study was performed to gain insight into the role of radiological studies in children 16 years of age or younger admitted to our hospital with pancreatic damage due to a blunt abdominal trauma. METHOD: Retrospectively, the radiological as well as patient clinical records were reviewed of all children admitted to our hospital between 1975 and 2003 with a pancreatic lesion due to blunt abdominal trauma. RESULTS: Thirty-four children with ages ranging from 3 to 14 years old were admitted with traumatic pancreas damage. Initially 33 children were treated conservatively for the pancreatic damage and only one had immediate surgery of the pancreas with a Roux-y pancreaticojejunostomy. Five other children had immediate surgery for other reasons. Overall, five children proved to have a pancreas transection on CT scans or during laparotomy. One child had a pancreas hematoma and 28 a pancreas contusion. In total 15 children developed a pseudocyst (44%), nine of which resolved spontaneously while six were treated by intervention. None of the children had residual morbidity, and there were no deaths. Considering the pancreas, the 11 available CT's were re-evaluated by two radiologists independently. Grade 3 pancreas damage (distal transection of the pancreatic duct) was diagnosed in five patients by radiologist A and four patients by radiologist B (80% match); Grade 1 was diagnosed in, respectively six and one patients (15% match). An US was performed on 19 children with 82 follow-up examinations, mostly for follow-up of the pseudocysts. CONCLUSION: Traumatic pancreas damage is a rare and difficult diagnosis. There is no straightforward answer for diagnostic imaging in blunt abdominal trauma in children. The diagnostic relevance of CT is limited. CT in combination with MRCP may be a better option for exclusion of pancreatic duct lesions.     

MR imaging for blunt pancreatic injury

Objective

To study the MR imaging features of blunt pancreatic injury.

Materials and methods

Nine patients with pancreatic injury related to blunt abdominal trauma confirmed by surgery performed MR imaging. Two abdominal radiologists conducted a review of the MR images to assess pancreatic parenchymal and pancreatic duct injury, and associated complications.

Result

Diagnostic quality MR images were obtained in each of the nine patients. In the nine patients, pancreatic fracture, laceration and contusion were depicted on MR imaging in five, one and three patients, respectively. There were six patients with pancreatic duct disruption, eight patients with peripancreatic fluid collections, and four patients with peripancreatic pseudocyst or hematoma, respectively. All of the MR imaging findings was corresponded to surgical findings.

Conclusion

MR imaging is an effective method to detect blunt pancreatic injury and may provide information to guide management decisions.     

Subcapsular splenic hematoma vs intrasplenic pancreatic pseudocyst

An intrasplenic pancreatic pseudocyst may mimic a subcapsular splenic hematoma. Misdiagnosis of this entity may have serious consequences. Particular care should be taken when a patient presents with a cystic mass in the region of the spleen and a history of chronic alcohol abuse, regardless of the presence or absence of a history of a traumatic episode. Thin-needle aspiration is the current diagnostic modality of choice. A high fluid amylase level establishes the diagnosis of an intrasplenic pancreatic pseudocyst.