Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41779150›Full record

ArticlePediatric radiology2026

Magnetic resonance imaging-based detection of retinal hemorrhages in a multicenter cohort of abusive head trauma.

Maria Hahnemann, Bernd Karger, Sibylle Banaschak, Hans-Joachim Mentzel, Alexander Radbruch, Daniel Wittschieber

Abstract readMulticenter Study
In one paragraph

Article in Pediatric radiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Maria HahnemannDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology and Pediatric Neuroradiology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Bernd KargerInstitute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Röntgenstraße 23, 48149, Münster, Germany.
Sibylle BanaschakUniversity of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Legal Medicine, Melatenguertel 60/62, 50823, Cologne, Germany.
Hans-Joachim MentzelDepartment of Radiology, Section of Pediatric Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany.
Alexander RadbruchDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology and Pediatric Neuroradiology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Daniel WittschieberInstitute of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Stiftsplatz 12, 53111, Bonn, Germany. daniel.wittschieber@ukbonn.de.

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft project number: WI 5034/2-1
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn pediatric abusive head trauma (AHT), retinal hemorrhages are a key diagnostic feature. Detection by fundoscopy may be delayed or limited, whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables non-invasive, objective assessment on routine brain sequences.

objectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic utility of different MRI sequences-particularly susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), T2*-weighted (T2*w), and morphological sequences-in detecting retinal hemorrhages in AHT. MATERIALS AND

methodsIn this retrospective multicenter study (2006-2015), 57 well-documented AHT cases from three German institutions were analyzed. A subgroup consisted of "confession cases." MRI scans were reviewed for retinal hemorrhages across SWI, T2*w, T1-weighted, T2-weighted (T2w), and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences by blinded expert readers. Fundoscopy results served as the gold standard. Sensitivities were calculated for each sequence, and "confession" versus "non-confession" cases were compared.

resultsFundoscopy detected retinal hemorrhages in 44 of 56 evaluable cases (78.6%). MRI identified retinal hemorrhages most frequently on gradient recalled echo sequences, with SWI showing higher sensitivity compared to T2*w (76.9% vs. 47.8%). T2w imaging showed markedly lower sensitivity (30.3%) but detected retinal hemorrhages on one eye missed on T2*w imaging in two cases. In three cases, MRI detected retinal hemorrhages not reported on fundoscopy. No statistically significant differences were found between "confession" and "non-confession" cases across all parameters considered (P>0.05).

conclusionMRI-particularly SWI and, to a lesser extent, T2*w imaging-may offer a useful tool of detecting retinal hemorrhages in AHT when fundoscopy is limited. T2w imaging may provide complementary information in selected cases.

Indexed as

Child AbuseCraniocerebral TraumaMagnetic Resonance ImagingRetinal HemorrhageChild, PreschoolFemaleForensic ImagingGermanyHumansInfantMaleRetrospective StudiesSensitivity and SpecificityAbusive head traumaChild physical abuseMagnetic resonance imagingNon-accidental head injuryRetinal hemorrhageShaken baby syndrome

Identifiers

PMID41779150
PMCPMC13035751

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