Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

The Medicolegal Implications of Detecting Hemosiderin in the Eyes of Children Who Are Suspected of Being Abused-Reply

The Medicolegal Implications of Detecting Hemosiderin in the Eyes of Children Who Are Suspected... Abstract In Reply. —We appreciate the comments by Massicotte et al. As with every other clinical or laboratory test, the finding of hemosiderin in tissue must be interpreted in the context of clinical history and pathologic findings. When so used, we believe that iron stains for hemosiderin may be helpful in dating hemorrhages. Although Massicotte et al refer to general pathology texts in an incomplete discussion concerning the deposition of hemosiderin, the timing of iron deposition in traumatic brain lesions is well documented.1-4 Hemosiderin first appears 3 days after injury, but does not become obvious on histochemical staining for 5 to 7 days after trauma.1-4 In two of three cases in our report,5 the children died within 3 days of hospital admission. In the third case, death occurred on the sixth day of hospitalization, but histologic evidence for hemorrhages of different ages was incontrovertible (see below). In all References 1. Strassmann G. Formation of hemosiderin and hematoidin after traumatic and spontaneous cerebral hemorrhages . Arch Pathol . 1949;47:205-210. 2. Leestma JE. Impact injuries to the brain and head . In: Kirkpatrick JB, ed. Forensic Pathology . New York, NY: Raven Press; 1988:184-253. 3. Hardman JM. Cerebrospinal trauma . In: Davis RL, Robertson DM, eds. Textbook of Neuropathology . Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins; 1985:842-882. 4. Garcia HJ. Circulatory disorders and their effects on the brain . In: Davis RL, Robertson DN, eds. Textbook of Neuropathology . Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins; 1985:548-631. 5. Elner SG, Elner VM, Arnall M, Albert DM. Ocular and associated systemic findings in suspected child abuse . Arch Ophthalmol . 1990;108:1094-1011.Crossref 6. Merten DF, Osborne DRS. Craniocerebral trauma in the child abuse syndrome . Pediatr Ann . 1983;12:882-887.Crossref http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of Ophthalmology American Medical Association

The Medicolegal Implications of Detecting Hemosiderin in the Eyes of Children Who Are Suspected of Being Abused-Reply

The Medicolegal Implications of Detecting Hemosiderin in the Eyes of Children Who Are Suspected of Being Abused-Reply

Abstract

Abstract In Reply. —We appreciate the comments by Massicotte et al. As with every other clinical or laboratory test, the finding of hemosiderin in tissue must be interpreted in the context of clinical history and pathologic findings. When so used, we believe that iron stains for hemosiderin may be helpful in dating hemorrhages. Although Massicotte et al refer to general pathology texts in an incomplete discussion concerning the deposition of hemosiderin, the timing of iron deposition in...
Loading next page...
 
/lp/american-medical-association/the-medicolegal-implications-of-detecting-hemosiderin-in-the-eyes-of-ZloD8UAtbz

References (5)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0003-9950
eISSN
1538-3687
DOI
10.1001/archopht.1991.01080030023020
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract In Reply. —We appreciate the comments by Massicotte et al. As with every other clinical or laboratory test, the finding of hemosiderin in tissue must be interpreted in the context of clinical history and pathologic findings. When so used, we believe that iron stains for hemosiderin may be helpful in dating hemorrhages. Although Massicotte et al refer to general pathology texts in an incomplete discussion concerning the deposition of hemosiderin, the timing of iron deposition in traumatic brain lesions is well documented.1-4 Hemosiderin first appears 3 days after injury, but does not become obvious on histochemical staining for 5 to 7 days after trauma.1-4 In two of three cases in our report,5 the children died within 3 days of hospital admission. In the third case, death occurred on the sixth day of hospitalization, but histologic evidence for hemorrhages of different ages was incontrovertible (see below). In all References 1. Strassmann G. Formation of hemosiderin and hematoidin after traumatic and spontaneous cerebral hemorrhages . Arch Pathol . 1949;47:205-210. 2. Leestma JE. Impact injuries to the brain and head . In: Kirkpatrick JB, ed. Forensic Pathology . New York, NY: Raven Press; 1988:184-253. 3. Hardman JM. Cerebrospinal trauma . In: Davis RL, Robertson DM, eds. Textbook of Neuropathology . Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins; 1985:842-882. 4. Garcia HJ. Circulatory disorders and their effects on the brain . In: Davis RL, Robertson DN, eds. Textbook of Neuropathology . Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins; 1985:548-631. 5. Elner SG, Elner VM, Arnall M, Albert DM. Ocular and associated systemic findings in suspected child abuse . Arch Ophthalmol . 1990;108:1094-1011.Crossref 6. Merten DF, Osborne DRS. Craniocerebral trauma in the child abuse syndrome . Pediatr Ann . 1983;12:882-887.Crossref

Journal

Archives of OphthalmologyAmerican Medical Association

Published: Mar 1, 1991

There are no references for this article.