EXPORT CITATION

Chapter-18 Autopsy in Suspected Pediatric Non-Accidental Head Injuries

BOOK TITLE: Recent Advances in Forensic Medicine & Toxicology (Volume 2)

Author
1. Serinelli Serenella
2. Gitto Lorenzo
3. Arunkumar Ponni
4. Bolino Giorgio
5. Maiese Aniello
ISBN
9789352701247
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/14137_19
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2018
Pages
38
Author Affiliations
1. Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, Rome, Italy, E-mail: s.serinelli@gmail.com
2. Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, Rome, Italy, E-mail: drlorenzogitto@gmail.com
3. Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, Chicago, Illinois, USA, E-mail: ponni.arunkumar@cookcountyil.gov
4. Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, Rome, Italy, E-mail: giorgiobolino@hotmail.com
5. Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, Rome, Italy, E-mail: aniellomaiese@msn.com
Chapter keywords
Nonaccidental head injury, NAHI, dissecting room examination, Mongolian spot, linear skull fracture, comminuted skull fracture, basal ganglia, face dissection, ocular hemorrhage, abusive head trauma

Abstract

This chapter will serve as guidelines, and intended to provide information on the methodology and autopsy technique in cases of nonaccidental head injury (NAHI) in the pediatric population. The forensic pathologist uses scientific and experimental knowledge, and special techniques in order to identify, document, interpret and explain the observed lesions, whether natural or traumatic. Non-accidental trauma is a leading cause of childhood traumatic injury and death in the US. It is often underreported in most of the countries. Non-accidental head trauma is a very common injury and a frequent problem in attempting to distinguish between inflicted and accidental injury. Distinguishing between inflicted and accidental injury is dependent upon the pathological findings and consideration of the circumstances surrounding the injury. Medical history and police investigations, radiological surveys, dissecting room examination, macroscopic and microscopic study of the nervous tissue, and macroscopic and microscopic study of eye and optic nerve are also discussed in this chapter.

© 2019 Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.   |   All Rights Reserved