ArticleEuropean radiology2015
Imaging of bridging vein thrombosis in infants with abusive head trauma: the "Tadpole Sign".
Article in European radiology, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 24 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
24 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 79 citations in OpenAlex.
- [Bridging vein injuries in shaken baby syndrome : Forensic-radiological meta-analysis with special focus on the tadpole sign].Der Radiologe · 2021Pooled it
- Peripheral segment of the cerebral cortical vein: a magnetic resonance imaging study.Surgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA · 2025Article
- What are the computed tomography patterns of head injury following low-velocity accidental head trauma in infants?Pediatric radiology · 2025Article
- Temporal development of subdural collections in infants with confessed abusive head trauma: a forensic neuroimaging study.European radiology · 2025Article
- [Red flags for child abuse : Pediatric radiological and forensic aspects].Radiologie (Heidelberg, Germany) · 2024Review
- The prevalence of subdural blood products in extremely premature infants with no history of abusive head trauma, studied by magnetic resonance imaging around term-equivalent age.Pediatric radiology · 2024Article
- Is bridging vein rupture/thrombosis associated with subdural hematoma at birth?Pediatric radiology · 2022Article
- An In-Depth Analysis of Brain and Spine Neuroimaging in Children with Abusive Head Trauma: Beyond the Classic Imaging Findings.AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology · 2022Article
- Parenchymal Insults in Abuse-A Potential Key to Diagnosis.Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Review
- Fractures and skin lesions in pediatric abusive head trauma: a forensic multi-center study.International journal of legal medicine · 2022Article
- Chronic subdural hemorrhage predisposes to development of cerebral venous thrombosis and associated retinal hemorrhages and subdural rebleeds in infants.The neuroradiology journal · 2022Article
- Elderly woman with unsteady gait.Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians open · 2021Article
- Thrombosis is not a marker of bridging vein rupture in infants with alleged abusive head trauma.Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) · 2021Review
- Novel in vivo depiction of optic nerves hemorrhages in child abuse: a 3D-SWI pilot study.Neuroradiology · 2021Article
- Venous injury in pediatric abusive head trauma: a pictorial review.Pediatric radiology · 2021Review
- The clinical utility of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in traumatic brain injury: recommendations from the ENIGMA MRS working group.Brain imaging and behavior · 2021Article
- Shaken Baby Syndrome: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features in Abusive Head Trauma.Brain sciences · 2021Review
- Abusive head trauma in court: a multi-center study on criminal proceedings in Germany.International journal of legal medicine · 2021Article
- [On the quality of the external post-mortem examination in cases of fatal head trauma : A comparison of death certificate and forensic autopsy].Der Anaesthesist · 2020Article
- Updating the risk profile of fatal head trauma: an autopsy study with focus on age- and sex-dependent differences.International journal of legal medicine · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesAbusive head trauma (AHT) in infants is usually diagnosed using a multi-disciplinary approach by investigating the circumstances and identifying morphological indicators, for example, subdural hematomas (SDHs), subdural hygromas (SDHys), retinal haemorrhages and encephalopathy. The present morphological study investigates the incidence, radiological characteristics and non-radiological co-factors of bridging vein thrombosis (BVT) in infants with AHT.
methodsFrom 2002 to 2013, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) material of 628 infants aged 0-2 years were analysed retrospectively. If available, medicolegal expert opinions were additionally considered. Cases with SDHs and/or SDHys were identified and systematically evaluated as to the presence and characteristics of BVT.
resultsSDHs and/or SDHys were present in 29 of the 81 cases exhibiting morphological abnormalities in the initial CT. Among these, 11 cases (40%) had BVT (mean age = 5.0 months). BVT could be best depicted in the T1-weighted spin echo and T2*/susceptibility-weighted MRI. In one case, BVT could be depicted indirectly using time-of-flight MR venography. The predominant (73%) BVT shape was found to be tadpole-like ("Tadpole Sign").
conclusionsIn the absence of appropriate accidental trauma, BVT appears to be a strong indicator of AHT. Therefore, the BVT/Tadpole Sign represents compelling cause to search for other signs of AHT. KEY POINTS: • BVT is an excellent indicator of AHT in SDH/SDHy cases. • Accidental trauma must be ruled out before diagnosing AHT. • The Tadpole Sign appears to be the most characteristic shape of BVT. • BVT can be depicted using CT, MRI and MR venography. • The Tadpole Sign suggests searching for other signs of AHT.
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