Subdural Hematomas in Infants with Benign Enlargement of the Subarachnoid Spaces Are Not Pathognomonic for Child Abuse
P.D. McNeelya,
J.D. Atkinsonb,
G. Saigalc,
A.M. OGormanc and
J.-P. Farmerb
a Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
b Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Montreal Childrens Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
c Department of Radiology, Montreal Childrens Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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Fig 1. Axial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MR image showing prominent CSF equivalent subarachnoid spaces in both frontal regions. No subdural hemorrhage is noted.
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Fig 2. Axial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MR of same patient as in Fig 1 done 19 days later (patient remained hospitalized) now showing an isointense area in the left subdural space, consistent with a hematoma. The subarachnoid CSF space is seen clearly separate from the overlying subdural space containing the hematoma.
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Fig 3. Axial CT scan showing prominent subarachnoid spaces in both frontal regions.
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Fig 4. Axial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MR sequence showing thin bilateral subdural hematomas that are seen separate from the underlying subarachnoid space.
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Fig 5. Axial T2-weighted MR image also showing the thin bilateral subdural hematomas.
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