ABSTRACT
Imaging examinations cannot be interpreted in isolation from the clinical history and physical examination, and any injury that is seen on radiographs which does not have a suitable mechanism of injury to explain its presence needs further investigation. Some injuries demonstrated on radiologic examinations have a high specificity for nonaccidental trauma. These include metaphyseal fractures, posterior rib fractures, and interhemispheric subdural hemorrhage. The following sections will address and illustrate each of these in greater depth. For more in-depth discussion on the diagnostic imaging of child abuse, the reader is referred to Kleinman’s authoritative textbook on the topic and several comprehensive review articles5-9.
