Abstract
- Patients with a (potential) cervical spine injury can be subdivided into low-risk and high-risk patients. - With a detailed history and physical examination the cervical spine of patients in the 'low-risk' group can be 'cleared' without further radiographic examinations. - X-ray imaging (3-view series) is currently the primary choice of imaging for patients in the 'low-risk' group with a suspected cervical spine injury after blunt trauma. - For patients in the 'high-risk' group because of its higher sensitivity a computed tomography scan is primarily advised or, alternatively, the cervical spine is immobilised until the patient can be reliably questioned and examined again. - For the imaging of traumatic soft tissue injuries of the cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging is the technique of choice. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 795-800 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Injury |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2009 |
Keywords
- Cervical Vertebrae/injuries
- Emergency Medical Services
- Humans
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Practice Guidelines as Topic
- Risk Assessment
- Severity of Illness Index
- Spinal Injuries/diagnosis
- Wounds, Nonpenetrating/diagnosis