Traction device to improve CT imaging of lower cervical spine.

CT demonstration of lower cervical spine detail is often limited by a streak artifact created by the shoulders within the tomographic field of view (Fig. 1). The patient may be instructed to hold the shoulders low; however, this position is difficult to maintain without moving throughout the often lengthy examination. Various methods for achieving optimal CT cervical spine images have been described [1-3]. These involved manipulating the radiographic factors and section thickness, positioning silicone gel pads about the neck , adjusting the gantry angle, and choosing a small versus a large field-of-view calibration. Beyond removing the shoulders from the scanning area, no technique has been described that routinely eliminates the streak artifacts. This article describes an easily applied device that facilitates a classic maneuver and effectively depresses the shoulders from the lower cervical spine and eliminates much of the shoulder artifact. A search of the computer literature failed to disclose any published devices described for this purpose in CT of the cervical spine. Methods of application and a representative case are included.