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Child Abuse: Practical Application of Autopsy, Radiological, and Microscopic Studies *
Author(s) -
Dedouit Fabrice,
GuilbeauFrugier Céline,
Capuani Caroline,
Sévely Annick,
Joffre Francis,
Rougé Daniel,
Rousseau Hervé,
Telmon Norbert
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00864.x
Subject(s) - autopsy , medicine , abdomen , radiology , magnetic resonance imaging , forensic pathology , multislice computed tomography , radiological weapon , putrefaction , cause of death , child abuse , poison control , injury prevention , computed tomography , pathology , medical emergency , history , disease , archaeology
A 17‐month‐old male infant died at home. The infant’s right arm was immobilized because of a humeral fracture 1 month earlier. The circumstances of death appeared unclear to the police investigators and a medicolegal autopsy was carried out. External examination revealed diffuse ecchymoses of varying color. Postmortem imaging was performed prior to autopsy (X‐rays, multislice computed tomography [MSCT], and focused brain magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]). These investigations revealed four rib fractures of varying ages, one of which was posterior. Cerebral and pericerebral traumatic lesions were also diagnosed: bilateral subdural hematomas, intraventricular, meningeal, and interpedoncular hemorrhages. In the abdomen, fresh blood was visible within the anterior abdominal wall and the mesenteric root. Autopsy and microscopic study confirmed these lesions. This case report illustrates the valuable assistance rendered by MSCT and MRI to diagnose abuse when a child has died in unclear circumstances.