Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, including details on sids, causes, prevention, statistics.

Dural hemorrhage of the tentorium on postmortem cranial computed tomographic scans in children.

Kibayashi K, Shojo H, Sumida T

Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Japan. kibayash@post.saga-med.ac.jp

We analyzed four children with increased density of the tentorium on postmortem computed tomographic (CT) scans that suggested traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage; but in which followup autopsy demonstrated an absence of subarachnoid hemorrhage. All cases had neither head injuries nor distinct intracranial abnormalities. Histological examinations showed extensive hemorrhage within the tentorium. These findings indicate that increased density of the tentorium on postmortem CT scan reflects 'dural hemorrhage' that may occur in children without intracranial abnormalities. Pediatricians and forensic pathologists should be aware of this phenomenon when using postmortem preautopsy CT scanning for diagnosis of child abuse.

Published 26 September 2005 in Forensic Sci Int, 154(2): 206-9.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Research Today. All Rights Reserved.