INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates radiological imaging in suspected non accidental injury (NAI) in children below the age of 2 years in the Netherlands. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study consisted of two parts; first an on-line questionnaire on suspected NAI, amongst radiological practices within the Netherlands. The second part of the study was a retrospective analysis of skeletal surveys in children under the age of 2 years, which were reviewed in an expert centre of forensic medicine on request of the public prosecutor. RESULTS: Out of 116 hospitals 45 (39%) radiologists completed the on-line questionnaire; 8 (8%) of the proposed skeletal surveys complied with the ACR criteria. A total of 29 skeletal surveys in 26 children were reviewed. The median age at the time of the radiographic exam was 3 months for both boys and girls. Only 2 (7%) studies complied with the ACR criteria. DISCUSSION: The results of our study show that, in theory as well as in practice, Dutch radiological practices show a large variation in imaging protocols for suspected NAI.
INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates radiological imaging in suspected non accidental injury (NAI) in children below the age of 2 years in the Netherlands. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study consisted of two parts; first an on-line questionnaire on suspected NAI, amongst radiological practices within the Netherlands. The second part of the study was a retrospective analysis of skeletal surveys in children under the age of 2 years, which were reviewed in an expert centre of forensic medicine on request of the public prosecutor. RESULTS: Out of 116 hospitals 45 (39%) radiologists completed the on-line questionnaire; 8 (8%) of the proposed skeletal surveys complied with the ACR criteria. A total of 29 skeletal surveys in 26 children were reviewed. The median age at the time of the radiographic exam was 3 months for both boys and girls. Only 2 (7%) studies complied with the ACR criteria. DISCUSSION: The results of our study show that, in theory as well as in practice, Dutch radiological practices show a large variation in imaging protocols for suspected NAI.
Authors: Eva M M Hoytema van Konijnenburg; Thekla F Vrolijk-Bosschaart; Roel Bakx; Rick R Van Rijn Journal: Br J Radiol Date: 2016-01-05 Impact factor: 3.039