Intraretinal hemorrhages and detailed retinal phenotype of three patients with Alagille syndrome.

PURPOSE: To explore patterns of disease expression in Alagille syndrome (ALGS). METHODS: Patients underwent ophthalmic examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, fundus intravenous fluorescein angiography (IVFA), perimetry and full-field electroretinograms (ffERGs). An adult ALGS patient had multimodal imaging and specialized perimetry. RESULTS: The proband (P1) had a heterozygous pathogenic variant in JAG1; (p.Gln410Ter) and was incidentally diagnosed at age 7 with a superficial retinal hemorrhage, vascular tortuosity, and midperipheral pigmentary changes. The hemorrhage recurred 15 months later. Her monozygotic twin sister (P2) had a retinal hemorrhage at the same location at age 11. Visual acuities for both patients were 20/30 in each eye. IVFA was normal. OCT showed thinning of the outer nuclear in the peripapillary retina. A ffERG showed normal cone-mediated responses in P1 (rod-mediated ERGs not documented), normal ffERGs in P2. Coagulation and liver function were normal. An unrelated 42-year-old woman with a de-novo pathogenic variant (p. Gly386Arg) in JAG1 showed a similar pigmentary retinopathy and hepatic vascular anomalies; rod and cone function was normal across large expanses of structurally normal retina that sharply transitioned to a blind atrophic peripheral retina. CONCLUSION: Nearly identical recurrent intraretinal hemorrhages in monozygotic twins with ALGS suggest a shared subclinical microvascular abnormality. We hypothesize that the presence of large areas of functionally and structurally intact retina surrounded by severe chorioretinal degeneration, is against a predominant involvement of JAG1 in the function of the neurosensory retina, and that instead, primary abnormalities of chorioretinal vascular development and/or homeostasis may drive the peculiar phenotypes.

Acute presentation of abusive head trauma.

Child abuse is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The leading cause of child physical abuse related deaths is abusive head trauma, formerly known as shaken baby syndrome, making the rapid identification and assessment of these children critical. The clinical presentation of cases of abusive head trauma ranges from neurological complaints, such as seizures, to vague or subtle symptoms, such as vomiting. This results in frequent missed diagnoses of abusive head trauma. The identification of abusive head trauma relies on a thorough medical history and physical examination, followed by lab evaluation and imaging. The goal of the evaluation is to discover further injury and identify possible underlying non-traumatic etiologies of the patient's symptoms. In this article we present a framework for the assessment of abusive head trauma and provide information on common presentations and injuries, as well as differential diagnoses. A strong foundational knowledge of abusive head trauma will lead to greater recognition and improved safety planning for victims of this unfortunate diagnosis.

Highlights of ophthalmological manifestations in newly diagnosed acute leukemia: a correlation with hematological parameters.

Acute leukemia is a hematological malignancy affecting different organ systems including the eye and orbit through direct infiltration of tissues or secondary to hematological abnormalities. Ophthalmological manifestations in acute leukemia are variable ranging from asymptomatic presentation to serious manifestations that can alter the disease course and treatment. The purpose of this study is to detect the incidence of different ophthalmological manifestations in newly diagnosed acute leukemia patients and to assess the relationship between ocular findings and hematological characteristics and the sequel of these neoplasms. A cross-sectional study with analytical components was conducted on 222 newly diagnosed acute myeloid and acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients who presented at Oncology Center Mansoura University (OCMU) between January 2022 and February 2023. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic evaluation at Mansoura Ophthalmology Center (MOC). The mean age was 43.45 ± 17.35 years (range, 17-85), and M/F was 137 (61.7%)/85 (38.3%). One-hundred and forty-four (64.9%) had acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and 78 (35.1%) had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Ophthalmic manifestations were detected in 96 patients (43.2%). Among them, 4 (1.8%) had poor visual acuity. Retinal hemorrhage (19.8%) and Roth spots (17.1%) were the most common ocular manifestations. Other ophthalmological manifestations observed were orbital involvement (3.2%), ocular motility issues (1.4%), subconjunctival hemorrhage (5.9%), conjunctival chemosis (0.9%),lid swelling (4.1%), lid ecchymosis (3.2%), lagophthalmos (0.5%), lid ptosis (1.8%), retinal venous congestion & tortuosity (4.1%), preretinal hemorrhage (3.2%), vitreous hemorrhage (3.2%), macular affection (2.3%), retinal infiltration (1.8%), exudative retinal detachment (ERD) (1.8%), cotton-wool spots (0.9%), retinal vein occlusion (0.5%), papilledema (2.8%), optic disc infiltration (1.8%), disc pallor (1.8%).AML patients were significantly associated with a higher frequency of ocular affection, retinal hemorrhages, and Roth spots (P 0.028, 0.003, and 0.046, respectively) compared to ALL patients. Retinal hemorrhage was statistically significantly associated with anemia (P 0.021). Ophthalmological manifestations of acute leukemia are heterogeneous; they can be detected at initial presentations or relapse. Some manifestations are asymptomatic, others can affect visual acuity or even alter the disease course. Cooperation between ophthalmologists and haemato-oncologists is crucial for recognizing ocular involvement and disease management.

An Update to Biomechanical and Biochemical Principles of Retinal Injury in Child Abuse.

Abusive head trauma (AHT) is an extreme form of physical child abuse, a subset of which is shaken baby syndrome (SBS). While traumatic injury in children is most readily observed as marks of contusion on the body, AHT/SBS may result in internal injuries that can put the life of the child in danger. One pivotal sign associated with AHT/SBS that cannot be spotted with the naked eye is retinal injury (RI), an early sign of which is retinal hemorrhage (RH) in cases with rupture of the retinal vasculature. If not addressed, RI can lead to irreversible outcomes, such as visual loss. It is widely assumed that the major cause of RI is acceleration-deceleration forces that are repeatedly imposed on the patient during abusive shaking. Still, due to the controversial nature of this type of injury, few investigations have ever sought to delve into its biomechanical and/or biochemical features using realistic models. As such, our knowledge regarding AHT-/SBS-induced RI is significantly lacking. In this mini-review, we aim to provide an up-to-date account of the traumatology of AHT-/SBS-induced RI, as well as its biomechanical and biochemical features, while focusing on some of the experimental models that have been developed in recent years for studying retinal hemorrhage in the context of AHT/SBS.

Multimodal imaging shows acute multilayered retinal hemorrhages in heatstroke-a rare case report.

Background: Heatstroke is a life-threatening disease clinically characterized by central nervous system dysfunction, multiorgan failure, and extreme hyperthermia. There are no reports about eye involvement in heat stroke. Here, we report a rare case of multilayered retinal hemorrhages in a patient with heatstroke. Case presentation: A 55-year-old male with a one-month history of blurry vision in both eyes presented at our department after suffering from heatstroke. His visual acuity was 5/20 OD and 10/20 OS. Fundus examination revealed retinal hemorrhages in both eyes. Fundus autofluorescence images and near-infrared reflectance images revealed well-defined retinal lesions. Optical coherence tomography helped to accurately locate the different layers of the lesions, including the nerve fiber layer, sub-inner limiting membrane, outer plexiform layer, ellipsoid zone and Henle fiber layer hemorrhages. We followed up with the patient for 8 months. At the last follow-up, his visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes, and fundus examination showed that retinal hemorrhages were almost completely absorbed. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report on multilayered retinal hemorrhages secondary to heat stroke. Intraretinal and preretinal hemorrhages can gradually resolve, and the patient's vision will improve with the absorption of the retinal hemorrhages. Multimodal imaging may help to reveal additional details about retinal lesions and monitor the course of the disease.

Spontaneous Massive Retinal Pigment Epithelium Tear: A Case Report of a Dramatic Complication of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tears occur when the RPE acutely breaks and retracts, leaving the underlying Bruch's membrane and choroid exposed. They usually happen in areas of previous pigment epithelial detachments and are generally associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The purpose of this report is to describe a case of a spontaneous massive central RPE tear in a patient with untreated AMD. A 67-year-old female patient presented with complaints of sudden decreased vision in her right eye. Her best-corrected visual acuity was 2/20, and fundoscopy revealed a massive central retinal hemorrhage with intraretinal, subretinal, and sub-RPE blood. The patient started anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment, and after the blood was reabsorbed, a very large central tear of the RPE involving the central macula was evident, with a layer of detached retina folded on itself. She received continuous anti-VEGF therapy, and the final measurement of her visual acuity was 2/200, despite the complete reabsorption of the hemorrhage. RPE tears may occur spontaneously as part of the natural history of AMD or be triggered by the initiation of anti-VEGF treatment in the presence of large pigment epithelium detachments. There are currently no strategies to prevent their spontaneous development, and they constitute a dramatic complication of AMD. The prognosis is dependent on the size and location of the lesion, and the visual loss is irreversible.

Clinical and neuroimaging characteristics in mild-type infantile acute subdural hematoma: report of four cases.

PURPOSE: Infantile acute subdural hematoma (IASDH) has a limited age distribution and mostly benign clinical features. Mild-type IASDH has a stereotypical clinical course which, however, has been described in only a few studies. METHODS: Four male infants (aged 6-10 months; mean age: 7.5 months) were diagnosed as mild-type IASDH associated with retinal hemorrhage (RH) after suffering from occipital impact in a fall. The present case series reviews their clinical features and neuroimaging findings, including CT and MRI findings. RESULTS: All the infants fell backwards from a standing or sitting position onto a soft surface, striking the occipital region. They began crying on impact and then soon afterwards exhibited seizure-like activity or recurrent vomiting. CT and MRI revealed a thin, unclotted subdural hematoma (SDH) without mass effect or brain parenchymal abnormality. Various degrees of bilateral RH were observed. On the day of symptom onset, all infants returned to baseline, and follow-up more than 5 years revealed normal development with no deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Mild-type IASDH with retinal hemorrhage presents with seizure-like activity or recurrent vomiting preceded by crying after an occipital impact on a soft surface. The clinical course of IASDH is followed by rapid recovery on the day of symptom onset. CT and MRI findings reveal a small, unclotted SDH without a mass effect or cerebral parenchymal abnormality.

Subdural hematoma, retinal hemorrhage, and fracture triad as a clinical predictor for the diagnosis of child abuse.

OBJECTIVE: Nonaccidental trauma (NAT) is a major cause of traumatic death during infancy and early childhood. Several findings are known to raise the index of clinical suspicion: subdural hematoma (SDH), retinal hemorrhage (RH), fracture, and external trauma. Combinations of certain injury types, determined via statistical frequency associations, may assist clinical diagnostic tools when child abuse is suspected. The present study sought to assess the statistical validity of the clinical triad (SDH + RH + fracture) in the diagnosis of child abuse and by extension pediatric NAT. METHODS: A retrospective review of The University of Arizona Trauma Database was performed. All patients were evaluated for the presence or absence of the components of the clinical triad according to specific International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes. Injury type combinations included some variation of SDH, RH, all fractures, noncranial fracture, and cranial fracture. Each injury type was then correlated with the ICD-10 codes for child abuse or injury comment keywords. Statistical analysis via contingency tables was then conducted for test characteristics such as sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. RESULTS: There were 3149 patients younger than 18 years of age included in the quantitative analysis, all of whom had at least one component of the clinical triad. From these, 372 patients (11.8%) had a diagnosis of child abuse. When compared to a single diagnosis of either SDH, RH, all fractures, noncranial fracture, or cranial fracture, the clinical triad had a significantly greater correlation with the diagnosis of child abuse (100% of cases) (p < 0.0001). The dyad of SDH + RH also had a significantly greater correlation with a child abuse diagnosis compared to single diagnoses (88.9%) (p < 0.0001). The clinical triad of SDH + RH + fracture had a sensitivity of 88.8% (95% CI 87.6%-89.9%), specificity of 100% (95% CI 83.9%-100%), and positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI 99.9%-100%). The dyad of SDH + RH had a sensitivity of 89.1% (95% CI 87.9%-90.1%), specificity of 88.9% (95% CI 74.7%-95.6%), and positive predictive value of 99.9% (95% CI 99.6%-100%). All patients with the clinical triad were younger than 3 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: When SDH, RH, and fracture were present together, child abuse and by extension pediatric NAT were highly likely to have occurred.

Correlation between neonatal retinal hemorrhage and changes in umbilical artery blood gas analysis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To explore the correlation between neonatal retinal hemorrhage(RH)and changes in umbilical artery blood gas analysis.METHODS: A total of 312 full-term neonates born in our obstetrics department from January 2019 to December 2021 were selected as the study subjects. According to the RetCam III fundus examination results, 245 neonates who did not experience RH were included in the control group, while 67 cases with RH were found to be included in the RH group. In addition, neonates were grouped into I degree group(n=20), II degree group(n=29), and III degree group(n=18)based on the degree of RH. General clinical data and umbilical artery blood gas analysis indicators between the RH group and the control group were compared; the levels of umbilical artery blood gas analysis indicators in neonates with different degrees of RH, the relationship between pH and RH degree, and the influencing factors of neonatal RH were analyzed.RESULTS: There was no obvious difference in maternal age, average gestational week, fetal gender, parity, gestational diabetes, fetal birth weight, and amniotic fluid between the RH group and the control group(all P&#x003E;0.05), while there were obvious differences in delivery methods, gestational hypertension, forceps assisted delivery, neonatal asphyxia, and umbilical cord around the neck(all P&#x003C;0.05). The pH value, arterial blood sample partial pressure(PaO2)and base excess(BE)values of the RH group were obviously lower than those of the control group(all P&#x003C;0.01), while the arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure(PaCO2)was obviously higher than that of the control group(P&#x003C;0.01). There were obvious differences in umbilical artery blood gas analysis indicators among children with different degrees of RH(P&#x003C;0.05), and with the increase of the degree of RH, pH value, PaO2 and BE gradually decreased(P&#x003C;0.05), and PaCO2 gradually increased(P&#x003C;0.05). There was a negative correlation between the degree of RH and the pH of umbilical artery blood gas analysis(rs=-0.593, P&#x003C;0.05). The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that delivery method, gestational hypertension, forceps assisted delivery, neonatal asphyxia, umbilical cord entanglement, pH, PaO2, PaCO2, and BE were all influencing factors for the occurrence of neonatal RH.CONCLUSION: There is a close correlation between neonatal RH and changes in umbilical artery blood gas analysis, and umbilical artery blood gas analysis can be used for the diagnosis of neonatal RH, which can be used to guide clinical treatment.

Fundus screening results and related factors of fundus diseases in 5 307 newborns / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To explore the results of fundus screening in 5 307 newborns and the related factors of fundus diseases.METHODS: A total of 5 307 newborns who underwent fundus screening in our ophthalmology department from January to December 2022 were selected. RetCam III system was used for fundus examination, and abnormal fundus conditions were recorded. The influencing factors of retinal hemorrhage in full-term infants and retinopathy of prematurity(ROP)in preterm infants were analyzed.RESULTS: The incidence of ocular abnormalities in newborns was 27.17%, with the highest incidence of retinal hemorrhage(61.23%), followed by retinal exudation(22.95%), ROP and ROP like retinopathy(10.68%). The incidence of morning glory syndrome(0.21%), albino fundus(0.21%), and permanent fetal vasculature(PFV; 0.28%)was lower. The incidence of eye abnormalities in full-term infants was lower than that in preterm infants(26.30% vs 30.08%, P&#x003C;0.05), and the incidence of retinal hemorrhage and exudation in full-term infants was higher than that in preterm infants(P&#x003C;0.05). The incidence of ROP and ROP like retinopathy in preterm infants was higher than that in full-term infants(P&#x003C;0.05). Natural delivery is a risk factor for retinal hemorrhage in full-term infants(P&#x003C;0.05). Fetal age(32-34, 30-31 wk), birth weight(1 500-2 499, &#x003C;1 500 g), milk powder feeding, and oxygen inhalation are risk factors for ROP in premature infants(all P&#x003C;0.05).CONCLUSION: The incidence of eye abnormalities in newborns at our hospital is relatively high, and early detection of eye abnormalities in newborns can be achieved through fundus screening.

Ocular manifestation of vertical transmission of dengue: case report / Manifestação ocular de transmissão vertical de dengue: relato de caso

ABSTRACT A 7-week-old male delivered by cesarean section presented with a positive serology for dengue along with preretinal and retinal hemorrhages, vitreous opacities and cotton wool spots. The patient and his mother had positive serologies for Non Structural Protein 1 (NS1) by ELISA. Retinal and vitreous findings improved over a sixteen-week period. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed preserved macular architecture. In this case report, we suggest that retinal and vitreous changes may be the ocular presenting features of vertically transmitted dengue in newborns, and that those findings may resolve with no major structural sequelae.

RESUMO Neonato de 7 semanas, do sexo masculino, nascido de parto cesárea, apresentou sorologia positiva para dengue com hemorragias retinianas e pré-retinianas, opacidades vítreas e manchas algodonosas. O paciente e sua mãe haviam apresentado sorologias positivas para Non Structural Protein 1 através de ELISA. Achados na retina e no vítreo melhoraram em um período de dezesseis semanas. O exame de tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral demonstrou arquitetura macular preservada. Neste relato de caso, sugerimos que alterações na retina e no vítreo podem ser os achados oculares aparentes em neonatos com infecção vertical por dengue, e que estes podem se resolver sem maiores sequelas estruturais.

Ultra-Widefield Imaging of Presumed Vitreous Base-Associated Vasculopathy: Assessment of Peripheral Retinal Hemorrhages and Microaneurysms.

Purpose: To describe cases of asymptomatic peripheral retinal hemorrhage attributed to presumed vitreous base traction seen on ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging. Methods: This retrospective consecutive series comprised asymptomatic patients with peripheral retinal hemorrhages, microaneurysms, or both. Imaging included UWF fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography (FA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), or a combination. Results: The series included 9 adult patients. The findings were observed on a routine eye examination or as an incidental finding in the contralateral eye of patients presenting with a retinal break or detachment. On UWF imaging, the distinguishing features of the peripheral retinal hemorrhages and microaneurysms presumably caused by vitreous base traction were their pinpoint shape and location at the vitreous base, in particular in the far temporal and superior retinal periphery. UWF FA showed punctate hyperfluorescent spots with no leakage. OCT showed signs of evolving posterior vitreous detachment. Management was limited to observation; with time, the microaneurysms were stable and the hemorrhages resolved. Conclusions: UWF imaging has led to the identification of presumed vitreous base vasculopathy. After a targeted workup is unrevealing, observation is appropriate.

Valsalva Retinopathy After Yoga in a Patient With No Clear Predisposing Condition.

Purpose: To present a case of Valsalva retinopathy occurring after yoga in a patient without a clear predisposing condition. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed. Results: A 36-year-old woman presented with a 2-day history of a "blob," hazy vision, and floaters in her left eye. She was performing a backbend during yoga but denied being in a headstand position. The visual acuity (VA) was 20/20-2 OS. Ophthalmoscopy showed a retinal hemorrhage inferior to the optic disc in the left eye, which was confirmed on imaging. One month later, ophthalmoscopy and imaging showed almost complete resolution of the hemorrhage with a VA of 20/20+2 OS. Conclusions: This case of Valsalva retinopathy did not involve a predisposing condition, headstand positioning, or breathing exercises. Therefore, when clinicians encounter young, healthy patients with Valsalva retinopathy, they should consider exposures to activities such as yoga as potential risk factors.

Acquired Factor VII Deficiency Associated With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Blast Crisis.

Factor VII (FVII) is an important, vitamin K-dependent clotting factor. Acquired FVII deficiency is a rare entity that is associated with serious bleeding complications. We report a case of acquired FVII deficiency in a patient with recurrent chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis who developed bilateral retinal hemorrhages. The coagulopathy was corrected with the initiation of chemotherapy and subsequent reduction in peripheral blast count.

Deep Learning Approach for Differentiating Etiologies of Pediatric Retinal Hemorrhages: A Multicenter Study.

Retinal hemorrhages in pediatric patients can be a diagnostic challenge for ophthalmologists. These hemorrhages can occur due to various underlying etiologies, including abusive head trauma, accidental trauma, and medical conditions. Accurate identification of the etiology is crucial for appropriate management and legal considerations. In recent years, deep learning techniques have shown promise in assisting healthcare professionals in making more accurate and timely diagnosis of a variety of disorders. We explore the potential of deep learning approaches for differentiating etiologies of pediatric retinal hemorrhages. Our study, which spanned multiple centers, analyzed 898 images, resulting in a final dataset of 597 retinal hemorrhage fundus photos categorized into medical (49.9%) and trauma (50.1%) etiologies. Deep learning models, specifically those based on ResNet and transformer architectures, were applied; FastViT-SA12, a hybrid transformer model, achieved the highest accuracy (90.55%) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 90.55%, while ResNet18 secured the highest sensitivity value (96.77%) on an independent test dataset. The study highlighted areas for optimization in artificial intelligence (AI) models specifically for pediatric retinal hemorrhages. While AI proves valuable in diagnosing these hemorrhages, the expertise of medical professionals remains irreplaceable. Collaborative efforts between AI specialists and pediatric ophthalmologists are crucial to fully harness AI's potential in diagnosing etiologies of pediatric retinal hemorrhages.

Clinical features of retinopathy after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical patterns of retinopathy in patients who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using wide-field fundus photography and slit-lamp fundus examination. METHODS: The medical records of patients aged ≥ 18 years who survived after receiving CPR and underwent wide-field fundus photography and slit-lamp fundus examination within 3 months were retrospectively analyzed. Fundus findings, including retinal hemorrhage and cotton wool spots, were investigated. The subjects were categorized into the retinopathy and non-retinopathy groups based on the presence of fundus findings. Systemic and CPR-related factors were analyzed to compare the two groups. RESULTS: Twenty eyes (10 patients) and 28 eyes (14 patients) were included in the retinopathy and non-retinopathy groups, respectively. The retinopathy group had longer CPR time than the non-retinopathy group (15 ± 11 min vs. 6 ± 5 min, p = 0.027). In the retinopathy group, retinal nerve fiber layer hemorrhage was observed in all eyes, and intraretinal hemorrhage was observed in 55% of the eyes. 80% of hemorrhages were located in the peripapillary or posterior pole. There were no interval changes in visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and central retinal thickness for 6 months. The average remission periods of retinal hemorrhage and cotton wool spots were 6.8 ± 2.6 month and 5.6 ± 2.1 months, respectively. No retinopathy progression was observed. CONCLUSION: The signs of retinopathy, such as retinal hemorrhages and cotton wool spots, which are found after CPR, mainly occur in patients who receive longer time of CPR and improve over time.

Multimodal Imaging Techniques in Monitoring a Patient with Ocular Decompression Retinopathy.

Ocular decompression retinopathy (ODR) is characterized by multiple retinal hemorrhages. It is a rare complication associated with rapid decrease of intraocular pressure (IOP). The course of ODR is usually asymptomatic and self-limiting, which was confirmed by the observation of our patient. In this study, we present a 5-month follow up of a 77-year-old woman with acute right eye (RE) filtration angle closure who developed symptoms of ODR. Clinical examination and multimodal imaging modalities, including color fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography (OCTA) and fluorescein angiography (FA), were used to confirm the diagnosis and performed regularly in monitoring the course of the disease. Fundus lesions in the RE included diffuse intraretinal hemorrhages in the posterior pole, which gradually resolved during follow-up time. The fundus of the left eye (LE) was normal. The patient underwent conservative therapy, laser therapy and surgery, achieving stabilization of the IOP and improvement of the local condition in the RE. Of the various multimodal imaging techniques, color fundus photography and OCT seemed to be the most specific and helpful in monitoring the patient with ODR.

New Insights into the Diagnosis and Age Determination of Retinal Hemorrhages from Abusive Head Trauma: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: Head trauma represents the first cause of death in abused children, but diagnostic knowledge is still limited. The characteristic findings of abusive head trauma (AHT) are retinal hemorrhages (RH) and additional ocular findings, including optic nerve hemorrhages (ONH). However, etiological diagnosis must be cautious. (2) Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review (PRISMA) standards were employed, and the research focus was the current gold standard in the diagnosis and timing of abusive RH. (3) Results: Sixteen articles were included for qualitative synthesis. The importance of an early instrumental ophthalmological assessment emerged in subjects with a high suspicion of AHT, with attention to the localization, laterality, and morphology of the findings. Sometimes it is possible to observe the fundus even in deceased subjects, but the current techniques of choice consist of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography, also useful for the timing of the lesion, the autopsy, and the histological investigation, especially if performed with the use of immunohistochemical reactants against erythrocytes, leukocytes, and ischemic nerve cells. (4) Conclusions: The present review has made it possible to build an operational framework for the diagnosis and timing of cases of abusive retinal damage, but further research in the field is needed.

Utility of balanced steady-state field precession sequence in the evaluation of retinal and subdural hemorrhages in patients with abusive head trauma.

Abusive head trauma is the leading cause of physical child abuse deaths in children under 5 years of age in the United States. To evaluate suspected child abuse, radiologic studies are typically the first to identify hallmark findings of abusive head trauma including intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral edema, and ischemic injury. Prompt evaluation and diagnosis are necessary as findings may change rapidly. Current imaging recommendations include brain magnetic resonance imaging with the addition of a susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) sequence which can detect additional findings that suggest abusive head trauma including cortical venous injury and retinal hemorrhages. However, SWI is limited due to blooming artifacts and artifacts from the adjacent skull vault or retroorbital fat, which can affect the evaluation of retinal, subdural, and subarachnoid hemorrhages. This work explores the utility of the high-resolution, heavily T2 weighted balanced steady-state field precession (bSSFP) sequence to identify and characterize retinal hemorrhage and cerebral cortical venous injury in children with abusive head trauma. The bSSFP sequence provides distinct anatomical images to improve the identification of retinal hemorrhage and cortical venous injury.