Magnetic resonance imaging in child abuse

Magnetic resonance imaging is a particularly important diagnostic method when bone and soft tissue lesions of inflammatory or malignant origin need to be analyzed. Traumatic lesions often are evaluated using standard radiographs or computed tomography. Both of these methods evaluate fractures appropriately; however, bone bruise, bone bending, and soft tissue lesions might be underestimated. Especially in the evaluation of suspected child abuse, magnetic resonance imaging can contribute significantly to making the diagnosis, especially when the reported history is not conclusive.