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Objectives: Pediatric skull fracture association with the cranial sutures (crossing, widening, or contacting 2 or more cranial sutures) is suggestive of abusive injury. We studied the efficacy of head computed tomography (CT) versus skull radiographs in identifying pediatric skull fracture association with cranial sutures and reviewed head CT literature recommendations for pediatric head trauma.Methods: Retrospective review was performed of skull radiographs and head CT at a tertiary care, free-standing children's hospital (2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016)(2017)(2018)(2019). Statistical 2-proportion Z test determined efficacy of head CT versus skull radiographs in assessing cranial suture involvement with fractures.Results: Forty-seven children with 56 abusive skull fractures and 47 children with 54 accidental skull fractures were evaluated, ages 1 to 36 months. Of the 110 total skull fractures evaluated, 51 abusive and 41 accidental skull fractures had terminal ends contacting cranial sutures for a total of 92 (84%). Twelve abusive fractures (24%) crossed sutures; no accidental fractures crossed sutures (P < 0.01). Of the 12 abusive cases with skull fractures that crossed sutures, 7 were definitively identified only on CT (P < 0.01). Widened sutures were documented in 4 (8%) of the abusive cases with skull fracture; none in the accidental cases. All 4 of these cases were equally identified on both skull radiography and CT imaging. In 21 of 47 abusive versus 5 of 47 accidental cases, CT identified skull fractures lines that extended to cranial sutures that were not definitive on skull radiography (P = 0.00022).Conclusions: Cranial suture involvement with pediatric skull fractures is common. Head CT significantly aided in the identification of skull fractures contacting and crossing cranial sutures in abusive cases, supporting eliminating concurrent skull radiographs.

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Occurrence of a scrotal mass in a newborn or young child often requires additional evaluation, the extent of which depends on the clinical scenario. We present a case of a newborn infant that presented with non-tender bilateral scrotal swelling that was prenatally suspected to be meconium periorchitis, a diagnosis confirmed by postnatal surgical exploration. Understanding the sonographic characteristics associated with meconium periorchitis help to allow for appropriate management of the patient and guide surgical evaluation.