A Retrospective Study of Cervical Spine MRI Findings in Children with Abusive Head Trauma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Increasing attention has been given to the possible association of cervical spine (c-spine) injuries with abusive head trauma (AHT). The aims of this study were to describe c-spine MRI findings in hospitalized AHT patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of children under the age of 5 years with AHT admitted to hospital in 2004-2013. Those with c-spine MRI were identified, and the images were reviewed. RESULTS: 250 AHT cases were identified, with 34 (14%) undergoing c-spine MRI. Eleven patients (32%) had 25 findings, including hematoma in 2, occiput-C1-C2 edema in 3, prevertebral edema in 6, facet edema in 2, and interspinous and/or muscular edema in 10. No patients had a clinically evident c-spine injury, a clinically unstable c-spine, or required c-spine surgery. CONCLUSIONS: C-spine MRI may identify abnormalities not apparent upon physical examination and the procedure should therefore be considered in cases of suspected AHT.