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Is bridging vein rupture/thrombosis associated with subdural hematoma at birth?

Pediatric Radiology volume 52, pages 932–940 (2022)Cite this article

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A Correction to this article was published on 01 February 2022

This article has been updated

Abstract

Background

The combination of bridging vein rupture/thrombosis and subdural hematoma in infants has recently gained attention as highly suggestive of abusive head trauma. While subdural hematomas are frequently observed at birth, there are no previous studies of bridging vein rupture/thrombosis prevalence in that context.

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence of bridging vein rupture/thrombosis in newborns with and without subdural hematoma.

Materials and methods

This bicentric retrospective study (2012–2019) looked at all brain MRIs performed in neonates. We noted delivery method, demographic data and intracranial injuries and analyzed any clots at the vertex as potential markers of bridging vein rupture/thrombosis.

Results

We analyzed 412 MRIs in 412 neonates. Age was (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) 5.4±2.2 days and 312 (76%) infants were full term (38.3±2.9 weeks from last menstrual period). The delivery method was vaginal birth for 42% (n=174), cesarean section for 43% (n=179), and unknown for 14% (n=59). Subdural hematoma was present in 281 MRIs (68.0%, [95% confidence interval = 63.3–72.5]). Six MRIs showed at least one clot at the vertex, assumed to be possible bridging vein rupture/thrombosis (1.5%, [0.5–3.1%]). Only one MRI showed more than two clots at the vertex, in a context of maternal infection. There was no significant difference in terms of gestational age at birth, delivery method or the presence of subdural hematoma or parenchymal injuries between those 6 infants and the 406 others.

Conclusion

Bridging vein rupture/thrombosis at birth is very rare and unlikely to be related to subdural hematoma.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Radiology Department, AP-HP, Bicêtre Hospital, 94270, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France

    Marion Bartoli, Inès Mannes & Catherine Adamsbaum

  2. Paris-Saclay University, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France

    Inès Mannes & Catherine Adamsbaum

  3. Radiology Department, AP-HP, A Béclère Hospital, Clamart, France

    Nadia Aikem

  4. Forensic Unit, AP-HP, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Garches, France

    Caroline Rambaud

  5. Epidemiology and Public Health Department, AP-HP, Bicêtre Hospital, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France

    Paul de Boissieu

Authors
  1. Marion Bartoli
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  2. Inès Mannes
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  3. Nadia Aikem
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  4. Caroline Rambaud
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  5. Paul de Boissieu
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  6. Catherine Adamsbaum
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Correspondence to Catherine Adamsbaum.

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The original online version of this article was revised: A citation, #19 (Rey-Salmon et al.), below, was omitted from the published article. The correct numbering of the citations is presented here.

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Bartoli, M., Mannes, I., Aikem, N. et al. Is bridging vein rupture/thrombosis associated with subdural hematoma at birth?. Pediatr Radiol 52, 932–940 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-021-05255-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-021-05255-w

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