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The Big Black Brain: Subdural Hemorrhage with Hemispheric Swelling and Low Attenuation

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Abstract

The term “Big Black Brain” was first coined in 1993 to describe cases of abusive head trauma associated with subdural hematoma(s), brain swelling, and uni- or bilateral hypo-density involving the entire supratentorial compartment on CT scan imaging. This constellation of findings was invariably followed by extensive cerebral parenchymal destruction and a dismal neurological outcome or death. We describe two such cases and review the pathophysiology and differential diagnosis of this entity.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Kara G. Gill, MD for contributing radiologic imaging to this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin American Family Children’s Hospital, 600 Highland Ave, H4/428 Clinical Science Center, Madison, WI, 53792-4108, USA

    Francois M. Luyet & Barbara L. Knox

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA

    Kenneth W. Feldman

Authors
  1. Francois M. Luyet
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  2. Kenneth W. Feldman
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  3. Barbara L. Knox
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Correspondence to Barbara L. Knox.

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Disclosure of Interest

Drs. Knox and Feldman both testify in civil and criminal trials. Monies earned are given to their respective institutions and to Dr. Feldman. Drs. Knox and Luyet are currently authoring a book on child torture as a form of child abuse.

Ethical Standards and Informed Consent

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation [institutional and national] and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000. This manuscript discusses two cases of children with big black brain presentations. Both the University of Wisconsin Health Sciences IRB and the University of Washington IRB did not require IRB approval for these case reports. Additionally, no informed consent of patients was required.

Additional information

Drs. Knox and Feldman both testify in civil and criminal trials. Monies are given to their respective institutions and to Dr. Feldman. Drs. Knox and Luyet are currently writing a book on child torture as a form of child abuse.

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Luyet, F.M., Feldman, K.W. & Knox, B.L. The Big Black Brain: Subdural Hemorrhage with Hemispheric Swelling and Low Attenuation. Journ Child Adol Trauma 11, 241–247 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-017-0132-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-017-0132-5

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