MR imaging in inflicted brain injury.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging should be part of the routine workup in suspected inflicted brain injury. The inclusion of diffusion-weighted MR imaging is essential for assessment of acute hypoxic-ischemic brain injury because of its sensitivity to delineate the extent of the lesions and because of its prognostic significance. MR imaging may offer additional help in dating the intracranial hemorrhages, but a precise timing is often difficult if not impossible.