The neuroimaging mimics of abusive head trauma.

ABSTRACT

Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the paediatric population, typically in children under the age of two years. Neuroimaging plays a key role in the diagnostic work up of these patients as information regarding the mechanism of injury is often lacking and the findings on examination can be nonspecific. A number of conditions, both traumatic and atraumatic can mimic AHT based on neuroimaging features alone. The repercussions associated with a diagnosis or misdiagnosis of AHT can be severe and radiologists therefore need to be aware of and familiar with the imaging differentials of AHT. In this paper we review the imaging findings of the radiological mimics of AHT and focus on features that can help differentiate these entities from AHT.