The College has released a new guideline which is intended to assist RANZCR, its staff, Fellows, members and other individuals in relation to Imaging of Suspected Non Accidental Injury. These protocols and guidelines are for imaging in suspected non-accidental injury and are based on established standards within New Zealand, North America and the United Kingdom as well as a review of the current literature.
Diagnostic imaging plays an essential role in the evaluation of suspected non-accidental injury. Radiologists are obliged to report suspicious injuries and may be the first clinicians to detect an injury of concern. It is recommended that radiologists who report paediatric studies are familiar with an appropriate referral pathway for suspected abuse for their specific reporting circumstances. This will depend on whether the imaging practice is in the community, or hospital-based, and what resources are available. Depending on circumstances and location this pathway may include phone advice from a paediatric hospital, or direct referral to a paediatric Child Protection Team. This document aims to provide the reader with a guideline to assist them in imaging in cases of suspected inflicted injury. It will cover imaging in suspected non CNS injury, (skeletal survey, nuclear medicine bone scan, CT and MRI), and in suspected CNS injury (skull X ray, US, CT and MRI).
Download the guideline