OBJECTIVE to assess the value of computed tomography in the diagnosis of cervical spine and spinal cord injuries in victims of blunt trauma. METHODS we reviewed the charts of blunt trauma victims from January 2006 to December 2008. We analyzed the following data: epidemiology, mechanism of trauma, transportation of victims to the hospital, intra-hospital care, indication criteria for CT, diag...

Estimates of the incidence of injury to the cervical spine among patients suffering blunt trauma to the head vary widely, and have been reported to be as high as 20%. Since strict observation of cervical spine precautions may delay attempts to gain control of the airway in a patient with an intracranial injury, the risk involved needs more exact definition. In an attempt to quantify this risk, ...

BACKGROUND Spine immobilization is one of the most frequently performed prehospital procedures. If trauma patients without significant risk for spine injury complications can be identified, spine immobilization could be selectively performed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate five prehospital clinical criteria-altered mental status, neurologic deficit, spine pain or tenderness, evidence...

STUDY DESIGN Observational, case series. PURPOSE To determine the sensitivity and specificity of clinical judgment as compared to the use of X-ray images in detecting cervical spine injuries in trauma patients presenting in the emergency department of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE Cross-table cervical spine views are important in patients with signs and sympt...

INTRODUCTION The diagnosis of cervical spine injuries remains a significant problem in many blunt trauma patients. Correct and early diagnosis of these injuries is imperative as delayed or missed diagnoses result in increased morbidity and mortality. CASE PRESENTATION A 57-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a misdiagnosed bilateral C5-C6 dislocation one month after a fall and head injury...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study Low-Risk Criteria were established to identify patients with a low probability of cervical spine injury in whom imaging of the cervical spine was unnecessary. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the number of unnecessary cervical spine CT studies on the basis of proper application of established clinical guidel...

Cervical spine injuries are extremely common and range from relatively minor injuries, such as cervical muscle strains, to severe, life-threatening cervical fractures with spinal cord injuries. Although cervical spine injuries are most common in athletes who participate in contact and collision sports, such as American football and rugby, they also have been reported in athletes who participate...

Blunt cerebrovascular injuries (i.e. involvement of carotid and vertebral arteries) are increasingly being recognized in setting of cervical spine trauma/fractures and are associated with high incidence of stroke/morbidity and mortality. The incidence of vertebral artery injuries (VAI) is more common than previously thought and regular screening is seldom performed. However there exists no scre...

BACKGROUND Guidelines are in place directing the clearance of the cervical spine in patients who are awake, alert, and oriented, but a gold standard has not been recognized for patients who are obtunded. Our study is designed to determine if magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detects clinically significant injuries not seen on computed tomographic (CT) scans. METHODS The trauma registry was use...

STUDY DESIGN A retrospective chart analysis of pediatric trauma patients with suspected cervical spine injury was performed. OBJECTIVES This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and cost-efficiency of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol for cervical spine clearance in pediatric trauma patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The evaluation of cervical spine injury in the pediatri...