Intra-abdominal injuries are a less common manifestation of child abuse, but can be associated with high mortality. These injuries may be difficult to detect on physical exam alone, as many children do not have external cutaneous signs of abdominal injury, and symptomatology may be non-specific. Once detected, no specific intra-abdominal injury is pathognomonic for abuse, though some are more common in physical abuse. Determination of the likelihood of abuse as a mechanism relies on the plausibility of the history provided in the context of the constellation of identified injuries. In this multidisciplinary educational presentation made in collaboration with pediatric radiologists and child abuse pediatricians, we will: (1) review physical exam and laboratory indicators to obtain abdominal imaging; (2) review imaging examples of intra-abdominal solid organ injuries; (3) review imaging examples of hollow viscus injuries; (4) discuss the types of trauma that causes solid organ and hollow viscus injuries; (5) review imaging modalities available, and (6) briefly discuss medical management. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2020 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2020

Authors: Henry M Katherine, Bennett Colleen, Servaes Sabah

Keywords: Child Abuse, Trauma, Abdominal

Infants are at risk for fatal physical abuse yet may present to care multiple times with inflicted trauma before abuse is diagnosed and the infant is protected. Prompt identification of at-risk infants is essential to protection from ongoing abuse. Sentinel injuries are unexplained minor injuries in young infants that are appreciable on physical exam. Examples of sentinel injuries include bruising, subconjunctival hemorrhages, and intra-oral trauma. These injuries can be a subtle external sign of concurrent clinically occult internal injuries (e.g., skeletal, abdominal, intracranial injuries) in a well-appearing infant or may be an early warning that foretells more significant trauma in the future. Identification and evaluation of these infants with appropriate imaging has been highlighted as one approach to ensure that abuse is promptly detected, injuries are addressed, and the infant is protected. In this multidisciplinary educational presentation made in collaboration with child abuse pediatricians and pediatric radiologists, we will: (1) review different types of sentinel injuries; (2) discuss current evidence and guidance for performance of imaging (skeletal survey, abdominal CT, neuroimaging with MRI or CT) when a sentinel injury is identified; (3) discuss the interpretation and significance of imaging findings; (4) provide imaging examples of these injuries; and (5) discuss gaps in the literature while highlighting opportunities for collaboration between child abuse pediatricians and pediatric radiologists to improve the care of these infants. Following completion of this educational module, our goals are that the participant will better understand the clinical context of sentinel injuries and have a baseline knowledge to make an appropriate imaging plan for these infants. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2022 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2022

Authors: Henry M Katherine, White Ammie, Servaes Sabah, Wood Joanne

Keywords: Child Abuse, Sentinel Injuries, Skeletal Survey

Prior research describing risk of physical abuse in children with rib fractures has included children whose rib fractures were incidentally identified in the context of an abuse evaluation. In our practice, the child in whom a rib fracture is the first presenting injury can be a diagnostic challenge, and less is known about this population. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of 1) additional injuries concerning for abuse, 2) diagnosis of abuse and 3) a report to Child Protective Services (CPS) among children <60 months presenting with rib fractures or with rib fractures identified incidentally during evaluation of a chief complaint unrelated to abuse. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2020 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2020

Authors: Brennan Brian, Henry M Katherine, Altaffer Ana, Wood Joanne

Keywords: Child Abuse, Fracture, Rib Fracture