Patients who sustain multiple injuries of unclear origin over time are well served by radiologists equipped with longitudinal imaging histories, as these physicians are adept at appropriately alerting care teams of possible abuse.
So conclude researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston who analyzed imaging exams conducted alongside reports of abuse filed by victims over a five-year period.
The team found that, with long-term imaging records, radiologists identified intimate partner violence (IPV) much sooner than the victims self-reported their abuse.
The gap between the two dates was a median of 64 months in any type of abuse and 69.3 months in physical abuse.
Lead author Hye Sun Park, MD, senior author Bharti Khurana, MD, and colleagues present the findings in a study published Nov. 19 in European Radiology.
In the study they further found that, with longitudinal imaging history, radiologists were quicker than examining clinicians to appropriately flag injuries as potential signs of domestic abuse.
The most common IPV-related injuries involved musculoskeletal and neurological body regions, the authors report.
“Knowledge of common injuries and longitudinal imaging history may help IPV identification when victims are not forthcoming,” they comment.
Study posted here (behind paywall).
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.