Child Abuse and Its Mimics in Skin and Bone

Of all children reported to child protective services for suspected maltreatment in any form, the percentage of substantiated cases of physical abuse actually is quite small. There are a number of dermatological and radiologically demonstrable musculoskeletal lesions that have been, or could be mistaken for, intentional physical abuse by the inexperienced or under-educated observer. This atlas illustrates the classic manifestations of physical abuse by dermatological and radiological examination as a standard against which the mimickers of physical abuse can be compared. Where appropriate, the authors provide pertinent historical, physical and laboratory information in support of the diagnosis.