`Clearing' the cervical spine in conscious trauma patients
- 1 April 2009
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Trauma
- Vol. 11 (2), 93-109
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1460408608101856
Abstract
This is a systematic review of published evidence regarding management of the cervical spine in conscious and co-operative trauma patients. We examine the literature in the following sections: clinical evaluation of the cervical spine; use of plain radiography; use of additional radiographic views; use of computed tomography; use of magnetic resonance imaging. Finally we consider the elderly and paediatric populations, particularly where there are significant differences compared to the general adult population. This paper also reviews the literature regarding non-medical assessment of the cervical spine. We conclude that there are well-validated decision rules available to guide the clinician, and that each imaging strategy has distinct advantages and disadvantages. Familiarity with these issues provides a sound basis for safe and effective decision-making.Keywords
This publication has 85 references indexed in Scilit:
- Are computed tomography scans adequate in assessing cervical spine pain following blunt trauma?Emergency Medicine Journal, 2007
- Paediatric cervical spine injury but NEXUS negativeEmergency Medicine Journal, 2007
- Prehospital clearance of the cervical spine: does it need to be a pain in the neck?Emergency Medicine Journal, 2007
- Comparing NEXUS and Canadian C-Spine decision rules for determining the need for cervical spine radiographyAnnals of Emergency Medicine, 2004
- Comparison of the Canadian C-Spine rule and NEXUS decision instrument in evaluating blunt trauma patients for cervical spine injuryAnnals of Emergency Medicine, 2004
- Retrospective application of the NEXUS low-risk criteria for cervical spine radiography in Canadian emergency departmentsAnnals of Emergency Medicine, 2004
- Technique and use of supine oblique views in acute cervical spine traumaAnnals of Emergency Medicine, 1993
- Head, facial, and clavicular trauma as a predictor of cervical-spine injuryAnnals of Emergency Medicine, 1992
- Flexion-extension views in the evaluation of cervical-spine injuriesAnnals of Emergency Medicine, 1991
- Comparison of five-view and three-view cervical spine series in the evaluation of patients with cervical traumaAnnals of Emergency Medicine, 1989