Recognition of skeletal fractures in infants: An autopsy technique
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Jennifer C. Love [1] ; Luis A. Sánchez [1]
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[1] Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office
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- Localización: Journal of forensic sciences, ISSN-e 1556-4029, ISSN 0022-1198, Vol. 54, Nº. 6, 2009, págs. 1443-1446
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
Complete recognition and documentation of injury pattern is crucial in the diagnosis of child abuse. Skeletal fractures regarded ashighly specific to nonaccidental injury in infants include posterior rib, scapular, metaphyseal, and spinous process fractures. These injuries areoftenoccult, especially when acute, to standard radiologic and autopsy procedures. The presented autopsy technique requires incising and reflecting skeletalmuscles to expose the bones and costal osseous joints in situ, increasing the opportunity to recognize skeletal injury. Fractured or atypical appearingbones are removed and processed for complete evaluation. The bones are processed by macerating the soft tissue in a water soap bath at an elevatedtemperature. To aid in reconstruction of the decedent, long bones are replaced with wooden dowels and the chest cavity is packed with the organbag. The technique is invasive and recommended for cases in which the pathologist has reasonable suspicion of acute or remote trauma
