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Ramachandran K, Patel Y, Arumugam T, Shetty AP, Shanmuganathan R. Giant Anomalous Cervical Spinous Process Causing Dynamic Cord Compression: An Unusual Cause for Myelopathy: A Case Report. JBJS Case Connect 2023; 13:01709767-202309000-00064. [PMID: 37616446 DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.cc.23.00272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
CASE A 47-year-old male patient presented with progressively worsening gait instability caused by a giant anomalous, free-floating C5 spinous process resulting in dynamic cord compression and myelopathy. The patient was successfully managed with a C5 laminectomy and total excision of the anomalous spinous process with a good functional outcome at the final follow-up. CONCLUSION Anomalies of the posterior arch of the subaxial cervical spine are relatively uncommon and asymptomatic. This case is being reported for its rarity and to highlight the role of dynamic imaging in patients presenting with congenital anomalies of the cervical spine presenting with compressive myelopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Ramachandran
- Department of Spine Surgery, Ganga Medical Centre and Hospitals, Coimbatore, India
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Rutsch N, Amrein P, Exadaktylos AK, Benneker LM, Schmaranzer F, Müller M, Albers CE, Bigdon SF. Cervical spine trauma - Evaluating the diagnostic power of CT, MRI, X-Ray and LODOX. Injury 2023:S0020-1383(23)00401-1. [PMID: 37164902 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traumatic cervical spine (c-spine) injuries account for 10% of all spinal injuries. The c-spine is prone to injury by blunt acceleration/deceleration traumas. The Canadian C-Spine rule and NEXUS criteria guide clinical decision-making but lack consensus on imaging modality when necessary. This study aims to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of CT, MRI, X-Ray, and, for the first time, LODOX-Statscan in identifying c-spine injuries in patients with blunt trauma and neck pain. METHODS We conducted a retrospective monocenter cohort study using patient data from the emergency department at Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland's largest level one trauma center. We identified patients presenting with trauma and neck pain during the recruitment period from 01.01.2012 to 31.12.2017. We included all patients that required a radiographic c-spine evaluation according to the NEXUS criteria. Certified spine surgeons reviewed each case, analyzed patient demographics, injury classification, trauma mechanism, and emergency management. The retrospective full case review was established as gold standard to decide whether the c-spine was injured. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for CT, MRI, LODOX, and X-Ray imaging methods. RESULTS We identified 4996 patients, of which 2321 met the inclusion criteria. 91.3% (n = 2120) patients received a CT scan, 8.9% (n = 206) a MRI, 9.3% (n = 215) an X-ray, and 21.5% (n = 498) a LODOX scan. By retrospective case review, 186 participants were classified as injured. The sensitivity of CT was 88.6% (specificity 99%), and 89.8% (specificity 99.2%) with orthopedic surgeon consultation. MRI had a sensitivity of 88.5% (specificity of 96.9%); highlighting 14 cases correctly diagnosed as injured by MRI and misdiagnosed by CT. Projection radiography (36.4% sensitivity, 95.1% specificity) and LODOX (5.3% sensitivity, 100% specificity) were unsuitable for ruling out spinal injury. CONCLUSION While CT offers high sensitivity for detecting traumatic c-spine injury, MRI holds clinical significance in revealing injuries not recognized by CT in symptomatic patients. LODOX and projection radiography are insufficient for accurately ruling out c-spine injury. For patients with neurological symptoms, we recommend extended MRI use when CT scans are negative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Rutsch
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pascale Amrein
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Aristomenis K Exadaktylos
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lorin M Benneker
- Spine Service, Orthopedic Department, Sonnenhofspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Florian Schmaranzer
- Department of Radiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin Müller
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christoph E Albers
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian F Bigdon
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 3010, Bern, Switzerland.
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Tsukamoto M, Morimoto T, Kobayashi T, Hirata H, Yoshihara T, Mawatari M. Atlanto-axial subluxation secondary to a neglected odontoid fracture. BJR Case Rep 2022; 8:20220110. [PMID: 36632545 PMCID: PMC9809909 DOI: 10.1259/bjrcr.20220110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
A 81-year-old female had chronic renal failure and was undergoing hemodialysis, visited orthopaedic clinic after striking her head on the ceiling of a car while driving on a rough road. An odontoid fracture went unidentified on the initial radiograph. One month later, she came to our hospital with persistent neck pain. A radiography and computed tomography revealed a C1-two subluxation secondary to the fracture. Posterior occipito-C1-C2-C3 fixation was performed, and the patient wore a halo-vest for two-month post-surgery. After two months, the halo-vest was removed, and the patient was not experiencing any pain or neurological deficits. In older patients, even minor head trauma can result in cervical vertebral fractures. Therefore, potential fractures should be considered during initial evaluations to avoid the serious consequences of an incorrect initial diagnosis. Care should be taken when choosing between conservative or surgical treatments, considering all potential risks and complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatsugu Tsukamoto
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Tadatsugu Morimoto
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Takaomi Kobayashi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Hirohito Hirata
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Tomohito Yoshihara
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Masaaki Mawatari
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
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Golmohammadi H, Gharekhanloo F, Gharekhanloo M, Jalili E, Pirdehghan A. The accuracy of plain radiography in cervical spine injury. Arch Trauma Res 2021. [DOI: 10.4103/atr.atr_30_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Abstract
The incidence of cervical spine injury in patients with polytrauma is 3.7%. Early identification and management of cervical spine injuries in these patients play a crucial role in preventing secondary cervical spine and cord injuries. C-spine clearance assumes a pivotal role in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with cervical spine injury. Despite the availability of various validated management algorithms and protocols for C-spine clearance, there are several controversies regarding C-spine clearance, such as the ideal protocol and imaging modality, clearance of obtunded patients and management of patients that lie out of the described protocols and rules. The current article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the relevant literature and address the prevalent controversies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavuk Garg
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Kaustubh Ahuja
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, 249203, Uttarakhand, India
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Yelamarthy PKK, Chhabra HS, Vaksha V, Agarwal Y, Agarwal A, Das K, Erli HJ, Bapat M, Singh R, Gautam D, Tandon R, Balamurali G, Rajan S. Radiological protocol in spinal trauma: literature review and Spinal Cord Society position statement. Eur Spine J 2020; 29:1197-211. [PMID: 31440893 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-019-06112-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The Spinal Cord Society constituted a panel tasked with reviewing the literature on the radiological evaluation of spinal trauma with or without spinal cord injury and recommend a protocol. This position statement provides recommendations for the use of each modality, i.e., radiographs (X-rays), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as vascular imaging, and makes suggestions on identifying or clearing spinal injury in trauma patients. METHODS PubMed was searched for the corresponding keywords from January 1, 1980, to August 1, 2017. A MEDLINE search was subsequently undertaken after applying MeSH filters. Appropriate cross-references were retrieved. Out of the 545 articles retrieved, 105 relevant papers that address the present topic were studied and the extracted content was circulated for further discussions. A draft position statement was compiled and circulated among the panel members via e-mail. The draft was modified by incorporating relevant suggestions to reach a consensus. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION For imaging cervical and thoracolumbar spine trauma patients, CT without contrast is generally considered to be the initial line of imaging and radiographs are required if CT is unavailable or unaffordable. CT screening in polytrauma cases is best done with a multidetector CT by utilizing the reformatted images obtained when scanning the chest, abdomen, and pelvis (CT-CAP). MRI is indicated in cases with neurological involvement and advanced cervical degenerative changes and to determine the extent of soft tissue injury, i.e., disco-ligamentous injuries as well as epidural space compromise. MRI is also usually performed when X-rays and CT are unable to correlate with patient symptomatology. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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Izzo R, Popolizio T, Balzano RF, Pennelli AM, Simeone A, Muto M. Imaging of cervical spine traumas. Eur J Radiol 2019; 117:75-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2019.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Suzuki T, Maki S, Aramomi M, Yamauchi T, Horii M, Kawamura K, Sugiyama H, Ohtori S. Occipital Condyle Fracture: A Case Report of a Typically Stable Fracture That Required Surgical Treatment. Case Rep Orthop 2018; 2018:2809546. [PMID: 30581641 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2809546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
An occipital condyle fracture (OCF) is a relatively rare trauma that is now increasingly diagnosed because of the wide availability of computed tomography. For nondisplaced OCFs, conservative treatment is generally recommended, and there is no previous report of a nondisplaced OCF requiring surgery. We report a patient who had a nondisplaced OCF with craniocervical misalignment (a condyle-C1 interval > 2.0 mm) and C1-C2 translation treated with a halo vest and occipitocervical fusion surgery. An 87-year-old Asian woman fell from a 4-meter height and hit her head. She was transferred to our emergency room. Computed tomography revealed a nondisplaced impaction OCF with a 2.5 mm occipital condyle-C1 interval and a 5 mm C1-C2 translation. The fracture pattern was considered stable. However, since craniocervical misalignment and C1-C2 translation were present, the patient was placed in a halo device, and we reduced the occipitoatlantoaxial joint, adjusting the halo ring position preoperatively. Confirming reduction of the atlantooccipital facet joint and the atlantoaxial joint by computed tomography, we performed an occipitocervical fusion. This is the first report of a nondisplaced OCF with craniocervical misalignment and C1-C2 translation that required surgical treatment. Clinicians should be aware of craniocervical misalignment and atlantoaxial instability even in Tuli type 1 OCFs.
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Cahill CW, Radcliff KE, Reitman CA. Enhancing Evaluation of Cervical Spine: Thresholds for Normal CT Relationships in the Subaxial Cervical Spine. Int J Spine Surg 2018; 12:510-519. [PMID: 30276112 DOI: 10.14444/5062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Very little normative computed tomography (CT) scan data exist defining expected relationships of vertebral structures in the intact cervical spine. Better understanding of normal relationships should improve sensitivity of injury detection, particularly for facet subluxation. The purpose of this paper was to describe the normal anatomical relationships and most sensitive measurements to detect abnormal alignment in the subaxial cervical spine. Methods A group of 30 CT scans with no documented cervical spine injury were utilized from an established database in a trauma population. Twenty-two anatomical measurements were made for each level of the subaxial cervical spine using Microview software. For the purposes of measurement, the upper confidence limit of normal was reported as two standard deviations from the mean. Results The novel, CT based measurements of bone articulation were generally smaller and had lower confidence intervals compared to traditional radiographic measurements of midline structures (such as interspinous distance, interlaminar widening, disc space widening). The upper limit of normal of facet joint height was reported (1.54 mm anterior, 1.27 mm posterior, and 2.0 mm midportion), which may help identify distractive-flexion injuries. The upper limit of normal vertebral translation (2.0 mm) was also reported to identify translation/rotation injuries. Conclusions Normal CT measurements for the subaxial cervical spine, especially in the facets, were found to have small confidence limits and variation. Based upon these findings, we conclude that facet measurements and translation may be better screening tools than traditional radiographic criteria based upon midline structures. Using these measurements may improve detection of cervical spine injuries warranting further imaging or investigation and reducing missed injuries. Clinical Relevance Improved understanding of normal anatomic measures in the subaxial spine will allow for better screening and identification of injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine W Cahill
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Kristen E Radcliff
- Thomas Jefferson University Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Egg Harbor, New Jersey
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Inagaki T, Kimura A, Makishi G, Tanaka S, Tanaka N. Development of a new clinical decision rule for cervical CT to detect cervical spine injury in patients with head or neck trauma. Emerg Med J 2018; 35:614-618. [PMID: 30032123 PMCID: PMC6173816 DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2017-206930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2017] [Revised: 06/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Objective Previous cervical spine imaging decision rules have been based on positive findings on plain X-ray and are limited by lack of specificity, age restrictions and complicated algorithms. We previously derived and validated a clinical decision rule (Rule 1) for detecting cervical spine injury (CSI) on CT in a single-centre study. This recommended CT for patients with (1) GCS score <14, (2) GCS 14–15 and posterior cervical tenderness or neurological deficit, (3) age ≥60 years and fall down stairs, or (4) age <60 and injured in a motorcycle collision or fallen from height. This study assessed the accuracy and reliability of this rule and refined the rule. Methods We conducted a prospective, dual-centre study at two Japanese EDs between August 2012 and March 2014. Patients with head or neck injury ≥16 years of age were included. Clinical data were collected from medical records. Imaging was at the discretion of the treating physician. CSI was diagnosed as a fracture or dislocation seen on CT; patients who were not imaged were followed for 14 days. We analysed the sensitivity and specificity of Rule 1 and refined it post hoc using recursive partitioning. Results 1192 patients were enrolled. 927 completed follow-up. Of these, 584 (63.0%) underwent CT imaging and 38 had CSI. Sensitivity and specificity of Rule 1 were 92.1% (95% CI 79.2% to 97.3%) and 58.6% (95% CI 55.4% to 61.9%). A second rule (Rule 2) was derived recommending CT for those with any of the following: GCS <14, cervical tenderness, neurological deficit or mechanism of injury (fall down stairs, motorcycle collision or fall from height) without age limits. Sensitivity and specificity were 100% (95% CI 90.8% to 100%) and 51.9% (95% CI 48.6% to 55.2%), respectively. Conclusions Our initial CT decision rule had lower sensitivity than in our initial validation study. A refined decision rule based on GCS, neck tenderness, neurological deficit and mechanism of injury showed excellent sensitivity with a small loss of specificity. Rule 2 will now need validation in an independent cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Inagaki
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akio Kimura
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Go Makishi
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Shigeru Tanaka
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Noriko Tanaka
- Biostatistics Section, Department of Clinical Research and Informatics, Clinical Science Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Cahill CW, Radcliffe KE, Reitman C. Enhancing evaluation of cervical spine: Thresholds for normal CT relationships in the subaxial cervical spine. Int J Spine Surg 2018; 11:36. [PMID: 29372140 DOI: 10.14444/4036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Very little normative CT scan data exist defining expected relationships of vertebral structures in the intact cervical spine. Better understanding of normal relationships should improve sensitivity of injury detection, particularly for facet subluxation. The purpose of this paper was to describe the normal anatomical relationships and most sensitive measurements to detect abnormal alignment in the subaxial cervical spine. Methods A group of 30 CT scans with no documented cervical spine injury were utilized from an established data base in a trauma population. Twenty-two anatomical measurements were made for each level of the subaxial cervical spine using Microview software. For the purposes of measurement, the upper confidence limit of normal was reported as two standard deviations from the mean. Results The novel, CT based measurements of bone articulation were generally smaller and had lower confidence intervals compared to traditional radiographic measurements of midline structures (such as interspinous distance, interlaminar widening, disc space widening). The upper limit of normal of facet joint height was reported (1.54mm anterior, 1.27mm posterior, and 2.0mm midportion) which may help identify distractive-flexion injuries. The upper limit of normal vertebral translation (2.0mm) was also reported to identify translation/rotation injuries. Conclusions Normal CT measurements for the subaxial cervical spine, especially in the facets, were found to have small confidence limits and variation. Based upon these findings, we conclude that facet measurements and translation may be better screening tools than traditional radiographic criteria based upon midline structures. Using these measurements may improve detection of cervical spine injuries warranting further imaging or investigation and reducing missed injuries. Clinical Relevance Improved understanding of normal anatomic measures in the subaxial spine will allow for better screening and identification of injuries. Ethical Statement This was approved by the Office of Research Institutional Review Board, Baylor College of Medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine W Cahill
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Kristen E Radcliffe
- Thomas Jefferson University Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rothman Institute, Egg Harbor, NJ
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Paykin G, O'Reilly G, Ackland HM, Mitra B. The NEXUS criteria are insufficient to exclude cervical spine fractures in older blunt trauma patients. Injury 2017; 48:1020-1024. [PMID: 28274471 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2017.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS) criteria are used to assess the need for imaging to evaluate cervical spine integrity after injury. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity of the NEXUS criteria in older blunt trauma patients. METHODS Patients aged 65 years or older presenting between 1st July 2010 and 30th June 2014 and diagnosed with cervical spine fractures were identified from the institutional trauma registry. Clinical examination findings were extracted from electronic medical records. Data on the NEXUS criteria were collected and sensitivity of the rule to exclude a fracture was calculated. RESULTS Over the study period 231,018 patients presented to The Alfred Emergency & Trauma Centre, of whom 14,340 met the institutional trauma registry inclusion criteria and 4035 were aged ≥65years old. Among these, 468 patients were diagnosed with cervical spine fractures, of whom 21 were determined to be NEXUS negative. The NEXUS criteria performed with a sensitivity of 94.8% [95% CI: 92.1%-96.7%] on complete case analysis in older blunt trauma patients. One-way sensitivity analysis resulted in a maximum sensitivity limit of 95.5% [95% CI: 93.2%-97.2%]. CONCLUSION Compared with the general adult blunt trauma population, the NEXUS criteria are less sensitive in excluding cervical spine fractures in older blunt trauma patients. We therefore suggest that liberal imaging be considered for older patients regardless of history or examination findings and that the addition of an age criterion to the NEXUS criteria be investigated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Paykin
- Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; National Trauma Research Institute, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Emergency & Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Gerard O'Reilly
- Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; National Trauma Research Institute, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Emergency & Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Helen M Ackland
- Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; National Trauma Research Institute, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Intensive Care Department, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Biswadev Mitra
- Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; National Trauma Research Institute, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Emergency & Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
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Abstract
Acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating disease process affecting tens of thousands of people across the USA each year. Despite the increase in primary prevention measures, such as educational programs, motor vehicle speed limits, automobile running lights, and safety technology that includes automobile passive restraint systems and airbags, SCIs continue to carry substantial permanent morbidity and mortality. Medical measures implemented following the initial injury are designed to limit secondary insult to the spinal cord and to stabilize the spinal column in an attempt to decrease devastating sequelae. This chapter is an overview of the contemporary management of an acute traumatic SCI patient from the time of injury through the stay in the intensive care unit. We discuss initial triage, immobilization, and transportation of the patient by emergency medical services personnel to a definitive treatment facility. Upon arrival at the emergency department, we review initial trauma protocols and the evidence-based recommendations for radiographic evaluation of the patient's vertebral column. Finally, we outline closed cervical spine reduction and various aggressive medical therapies aimed at improving neurologic outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- C D Shank
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - B C Walters
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - M N Hadley
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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Mendenhall SK, Sivaganesan A, Mistry A, Sivasubramaniam P, McGirt MJ, Devin CJ. Traumatic atlantooccipital dislocation: comprehensive assessment of mortality, neurologic improvement, and patient-reported outcomes at a Level 1 trauma center over 15 years. Spine J 2015; 15:2385-95. [PMID: 26165481 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2015.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 05/28/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT Only Level 3 evidence exists for the diagnosis and treatment of atlantooccipital dislocation (AOD) with few studies examining mortality, neurologic improvement, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). PURPOSE First, the aim was to determine: the incidence of AOD, 90-day surgical morbidity and mortality after AOD, patient factors that may be associated with delayed or missed diagnosis, and factors that were associated with mortality and neurologic improvement after AOD. Secondly, the aim was to quantify the pain, disability, and quality of life experienced by patients surviving AOD. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING This was a retrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE A total of 5,337 consecutive spine computed tomography traumagrams from 1997 to 2012 were included. OUTCOME MEASURES Mortality, neurologic improvement, complications, EuroQol five dimensions (EQ-5D), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)-neck, NRS-arm, and return-to-work were the outcome measures. METHODS Patients were considered to have AOD if they met one of the following radiographic criteria: basion-dens interval greater than 10 mm; basion-axial interval: anterior displacement greater than 12 mm or posterior displacement greater than 4 mm between the basion and posterior C2 line; and condyle to C1 interval greater than 1.4 mm. Linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with 90-day mortality, neurologic improvement, and missed diagnosis. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed via phone interview. RESULTS Thirty-one patients met radiographic criteria for AOD; an incidence of 0.6% over 15 years. Twenty-one (68%) patients were treated with occipital cervical fusion. At 90 days postoperatively, there were no new neurologic deficits or reoperations. Eight (26%) patients died within 90 days. All patients who died had no documented AOD diagnosis and were not treated surgically. Missed AOD diagnosis was the strongest predictor of mortality. Younger age, lower Glasgow Coma Score, lower Injury Severity Score (ISS) score, and worse initial American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score were significantly associated with greater neurologic improvement. Higher ISS score and better ASIA score were significantly associated with missed AOD diagnosis. The average PROs metrics at time of telephone follow-up were as follows: EQ-5D=0.73±0.19, NDI=30.89±18.57, NRS-neck=2.33±2.21, NRS-arm=2.00±2.54. Of the patients with follow-up data, four were employed full-time, and five were receiving disability. CONCLUSIONS Our work suggests that failure to diagnose AOD is a powerful predictor of mortality. Higher ISS scores and better neurologic presentation were significantly associated with missed diagnosis. Craniocervical arthrodesis preserved neurologic function with low complication rate and unexpectedly high PROs and return-to-work. These results must be carefully interpreted because it is unclear whether missed AOD diagnosis accompanies another death-causing injury (eg, traumatic brain injury) or if failure to treat AOD contributes to mortality in a multifactorial manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen K Mendenhall
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, T-4224 Medical Center N., 1611 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Ahilan Sivaganesan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, T-4224 Medical Center N., 1611 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Akshitkumar Mistry
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, T-4224 Medical Center N., 1611 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Priya Sivasubramaniam
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1215 21st Ave. S. #4200, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Matthew J McGirt
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, T-4224 Medical Center N., 1611 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates, 225 Baldwin Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204, USA
| | - Clinton J Devin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1215 21st Ave. S. #4200, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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Patel MB, Humble SS, Cullinane DC, Day MA, Jawa RS, Devin CJ, Delozier MS, Smith LM, Smith MA, Capella JM, Long AM, Cheng JS, Leath TC, Falck-Ytter Y, Haut ER, Como JJ. Cervical spine collar clearance in the obtunded adult blunt trauma patient: a systematic review and practice management guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2015; 78:430-41. [PMID: 25757133 DOI: 10.1097/TA.0000000000000503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the use of the framework advocated by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group, our aims were to perform a systematic review and to develop evidence-based recommendations that may be used to answer the following PICO [Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes] question:In the obtunded adult blunt trauma patient, should cervical collar removal be performed after a negative high-quality cervical spine (C-spine) computed tomography (CT) result alone or after a negative high-quality C-spine CT result combined with adjunct imaging, to reduce peri-clearance events, such as new neurologic change, unstable C-spine injury, stable C-spine injury, need for post-clearance imaging, false-negative CT imaging result on re-review, pressure ulcers, and time to cervical collar clearance? METHODS Our protocol was registered with the PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews on August 23, 2013 (REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42013005461). Eligibility criteria consisted of adult blunt trauma patients 16 years or older, who underwent C-spine CT with axial thickness of less than 3 mm and who were obtunded using any definition.Quantitative synthesis via meta-analysis was not possible because of pre-post, partial-cohort, quasi-experimental study design limitations and the consequential incomplete diagnostic accuracy data. RESULTS Of five articles with a total follow-up of 1,017 included subjects, none reported new neurologic changes (paraplegia or quadriplegia) after cervical collar removal. There is a worst-case 9% (161 of 1,718 subjects in 11 studies) cumulative literature incidence of stable injuries and a 91% negative predictive value of no injury, after coupling a negative high-quality C-spine CT result with 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging, upright x-rays, flexion-extension CT, and/or clinical follow-up. Similarly, there is a best-case 0% (0 of 1,718 subjects in 11 studies) cumulative literature incidence of unstable injuries after negative initial imaging result with a high-quality C-spine CT. CONCLUSION In obtunded adult blunt trauma patients, we conditionally recommend cervical collar removal after a negative high-quality C-spine CT scan result alone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Systematic review, level III.
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Hunter BR, Keim SM, Seupaul RA, Hern G. Are Plain Radiographs Sufficient to Exclude Cervical Spine Injuries in Low-Risk Adults? J Emerg Med 2014; 46:257-63. [PMID: 24342907 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.08.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2013] [Revised: 05/29/2013] [Accepted: 08/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Benton R Hunter
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Samuel M Keim
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Rawle A Seupaul
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Gene Hern
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Alameda County Medical Center - Highland, Oakland, California
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Raza M, Elkhodair S, Zaheer A, Yousaf S. Safe cervical spine clearance in adult obtunded blunt trauma patients on the basis of a normal multidetector CT scan--a meta-analysis and cohort study. Injury 2013; 44:1589-95. [PMID: 23856632 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2013.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2013] [Revised: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/02/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A true gold standard to rule out a significant cervical spine injury in subset of blunt trauma patients with altered sensorium is still to be agreed upon. The objective of this study is to determine whether in obtunded adult patients with blunt trauma, a clinically significant injury to the cervical spine be ruled out on the basis of a normal multidetector cervical spine computed tomography. METHODS Comprehensive database search was conducted to include all the prospective and retrospective studies on blunt trauma patients with altered sensorium undergoing cervical spine multidetector CT scan as core imaging modality to "clear" the cervical spine. The studies used two main gold standards, magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine and/or prolonged clinical follow-up. The data was extracted to report true positive, true negatives, false positives and false negatives. Meta-analysis of sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values was performed using Meta Analyst Beta 3.13 software. We also performed a retrospective investigation comparing a robust clinical follow-up and/or cervical spine MR findings in 53 obtunded blunt trauma patients, who previously had undergone a normal multidetector CT scan of the cervical spine reported by a radiologist. RESULTS A total of 10 studies involving 1850 obtunded blunt trauma patients with initial cervical spine CT scan reported as normal were included in the final meta-analysis. The cumulative negative predictive value and specificity of cervical spine CT of the ten studies was 99.7% (99.4-99.9%, 95% confidence interval). The positive predictive value and sensitivity was 93.7% (84.0-97.7%, 95% confidence interval). In the retrospective review of our obtunded blunt trauma patients, none was later diagnosed to have significant cervical spine injury that required a change in clinical management. CONCLUSION In a blunt trauma patient with altered sensorium, a normal cervical spine CT scan is conclusive to safely rule out a clinically significant cervical spine injury. The results of this meta-analysis strongly support the removal of cervical precautions in obtunded blunt trauma patient after normal cervical spine computed tomography. Any further imaging like magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine should be performed on case-to-case basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mushahid Raza
- Consultant Emergency Medicine, Frimley Park Hospital, Frimley, UK.
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Tran B, Saxe JM, Ekeh AP. Are flexion extension films necessary for cervical spine clearance in patients with neck pain after negative cervical CT scan? J Surg Res 2013; 184:411-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2013.05.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Revised: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Takami M, Nohda K, Sakanaka J, Nakamura M, Yoshida M. Usefulness of full spine computed tomography in cases of high-energy trauma: a prospective study. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 2013; 24 Suppl 1:S167-71. [PMID: 23832413 DOI: 10.1007/s00590-013-1268-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION At this hospital, computed tomography (CT) of the full spine is performed on all patients who have sustained high-energy trauma because spinal fractures can be overlooked by referring only to clinical findings and plain X-rays of the spine. The goal of this study is to prospectively detect the occurrence of spinal fractures in cases of high-energy trauma using full spine CT and to evaluate the usefulness of it. MATERIALS AND METHODS Subjects were 179 patients (134 male, 45 female) who were deemed to have sustained high-energy trauma in the 21-month period starting in September 2007. Spinal fractures initially revealed by CT were studied in detail. RESULTS Spinal fractures were found in 54 patients (30.2 %); 19 patients had stable fractures, and 41 had unstable fractures. Forty patients had concomitant injuries to organs in addition to spinal injury; these patients had an average Injury Severity Score of 20.2 (4-70). Of 16 patients with a cervical fracture, 6 (37.5 %) had a fracture that did not appear on plain X-rays of the cervical and that was first identified by CT. Of 43 patients with a thoracolumbar fracture, 6 (14.0 %) had a fracture that would have been difficult to detect if a full spine CT had not been done. CONCLUSION In patients who have sustained high-energy trauma, spinal fractures may be overlooked during primary care by a diagnosis based only on plain X-rays and clinical manifestations. Therefore, patients who have sustained high-energy trauma should be evaluated with full spine CT during primary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanari Takami
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1, Kimiidera, Wakayama, 641-0012, Japan,
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BARRON DA, MENON N. Axial trauma. Imaging 2013. [DOI: 10.1259/imaging/63842733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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22
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Ackland HM, Cameron PA. Cervical spine clearance in trauma patients. The Indian Journal of Neurotrauma 2012; 9:79-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnt.2012.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Abstract
The evaluation of the cervical spine in the emergency department is a common and often challenging task. We report the case of a 70-year-old female who presented intoxicated with evidence of a recent fall. A 64-slice computed tomographic (CT) scan with sagittal and coronal reconstructions revealed no acute injury. The patient was re-examined when alert and had persistent neck pain. Flexion-extension static views revealed severe subluxation of C5 on C6 with jumped facets, and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging confirmed significant ligamentous injury. The evidence available suggests that although CT with reconstruction is highly sensitive for clinically significant cervical injury, the possibility of severe injury remains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian E Grunau
- Emergency Department, St. Paul's Hospital, and Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
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Munera F, Rivas LA, Nunez DB, Quencer RM. Imaging evaluation of adult spinal injuries: emphasis on multidetector CT in cervical spine trauma. Radiology 2012; 263:645-60. [PMID: 22623691 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.12110526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
As computed tomography (CT) technology has evolved, multidetector CT has become an integral part of the initial assessment of many injured patients, and the spine is easily included in the total body screening performed in patients with severe blunt polytrauma. Despite all the advantages of multidetector CT, clearing the spine in which injury is suspected continues to be a daily challenge in clinical practice. The purpose of this review is to present the evidence and the controversies surrounding the practice of imaging in patients suspected of having spine injury. The discussion is centered on the increasing reliance on multidetector CT in the work-up of these patients but also considers the important contributions of clinical trials to select patient for appropriate imaging on the basis of risk and probability of injury. Available protocols, injury classification systems, and issues awaiting future research are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Munera
- Department of Radiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine-Jackson Memorial Hospital, 1611 NW 12th Ave, WW-279, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
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Kepros JP, Opreanu RC, Samaraweera R, Briningstool A, Morrison CA, Mosher BD, Schneider P, Stevens P. Whole body imaging in the diagnosis of blunt trauma, ionizing radiation hazards and residual risk. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2012; 39:15-24. [PMID: 26814919 DOI: 10.1007/s00068-012-0201-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2012] [Accepted: 06/06/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ever since the introduction of radiographic imaging, its utility in identifying injuries has been well documented and was incorporated in the workup of injured patients during advanced trauma life support algorithms [American College of Surgeons, 8th ed. Chicago, 2008]. More recently, computerized tomography (CT) has been shown to be more sensitive than radiography in the diagnosis of injury. Due to the increased use of CT scanning, concerns were raised regarding the associated exposure to ionizing radiation [N Engl J Med 357:2277-2284, 2007]. During the last several years, a significant amount of research has been published on this topic, most of it being incorporated in the BEIR VII Phase 2 report, published by the National Research Council of the National Academies [National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC, 2006]. The current review will analyze the scientific basis for the concerns over the ionizing radiation associated with the use of CT scanning and will examine the accuracy of the typical advanced trauma life support work-up for diagnosis of injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Kepros
- Department of Surgery, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, 1215 East Michigan Avenue, Suite 655, Lansing, MI, 48912, USA. .,Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI, USA.
| | - R C Opreanu
- Department of Surgery, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, 1215 East Michigan Avenue, Suite 655, Lansing, MI, 48912, USA.
| | - R Samaraweera
- Department of Radiology, Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - A Briningstool
- Emergency Department, Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - C A Morrison
- Department of Surgery, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, 1215 East Michigan Avenue, Suite 655, Lansing, MI, 48912, USA.,Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - B D Mosher
- Department of Surgery, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, 1215 East Michigan Avenue, Suite 655, Lansing, MI, 48912, USA.,Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - P Schneider
- Department of Surgery, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, 1215 East Michigan Avenue, Suite 655, Lansing, MI, 48912, USA.,Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - P Stevens
- Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI, USA
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Duane TM, Wilson SP, Mayglothling J, Wolfe LG, Aboutanos MB, Whelan JF, Malhotra AK, Ivatury RR. Canadian Cervical Spine rule compared with computed tomography: a prospective analysis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 71:352-5; discussion 355-7. [PMID: 21825938 DOI: 10.1097/TA.0b013e318220a98c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Canadian cervical spine rule (CCS) has been found to be an effective tool to determine the need for radiographic evaluation of the cervical spine (c-spine) incorporating both clinical findings and mechanism. Previously, it has been validated only through clinical follow-up or selective use of X-rays. The purpose of this study was to validate it using computed tomography (CT) as the gold standard to identify fractures. METHODS Prospective evaluation was performed on 3,201 blunt trauma patients who were screened by CCS and were compared with a complete c-spine CT. CSS positive indicated at least one positive clinical or mechanism finding, whereas CT positive indicated presence of a fracture. RESULTS There were 192 patients with c-spine fractures versus 3,009 without fracture on CT. The fracture group was older (42.7 ± 19.0 years vs. 37.8 ± 17.5 years, p = 0.0006), had a lower Glasgow Coma Scale score (13.8 ± 4.2 vs. 14.4 ± 4.3, p < 0.0001), and lower systolic blood pressure (133.3 ± 23.8 mm Hg vs. 139.5 ± 23.1 mm Hg, p = 0.0023). The sensitivity of CCS was 100% (192/192), specificity was 0.60% (18/3009), positive predictive value was 6.03% (192/3183), and negative predictive value was 100% (18/18). Logistic regression identified only 8 of the 19 factors included in the CCS to be independent predictors of c-spine fracture. CONCLUSIONS CCS is very sensitive but not very specific to determine the need for radiographic evaluation after blunt trauma. Based on this study, the rule should be streamlined to improve specificity while maintaining sensitivity.
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Panczykowski DM, Tomycz ND, Okonkwo DO. Comparative effectiveness of using computed tomography alone to exclude cervical spine injuries in obtunded or intubated patients: meta-analysis of 14,327 patients with blunt trauma. J Neurosurg 2011; 115:541-9. [DOI: 10.3171/2011.4.jns101672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Object
The current standard of practice for clearance of the cervical spine in obtunded patients suffering blunt trauma is to use CT and an adjuvant imaging modality (such as MR imaging). The objective of this study was to determine the comparative effectiveness of multislice helical CT alone to diagnose acute unstable cervical spine injury following blunt trauma.
Methods
The authors performed a meta-analysis of studies comparing modern CT with adjunctive imaging modalities and required that studies present acute traumatic findings as well as treatment for unstable injuries. Study quality, population characteristics, diagnostic protocols, and outcome data were extracted. Positive disease status included all injuries necessitating surgical or orthotic stabilization identified on imaging and/or clinical follow-up.
Results
Seventeen studies encompassing 14,327 patients met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity for modern CT were both > 99.9% (95% CI 0.99–1.00 and 0.99–1.00, respectively). The negative likelihood ratio of an unstable cervical injury after a CT scan negative for acute injury was < 0.001 (95% CI 0.00–0.01), while the negative predictive value of a normal CT scan was 100% (95% CI 0.96–1.00). Global severity of injury, CT slice thickness, and study quality did not significantly affect accuracy estimates.
Conclusions
Modern CT alone is sufficient to detect unstable cervical spine injuries in trauma patients. Adjuvant imaging is unnecessary when the CT scan is negative for acute injury. Results of this meta-analysis strongly show that the cervical collar may be removed from obtunded or intubated trauma patients if a modern CT scan is negative for acute injury.
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Sun GH, Shoman NM, Samy RN, Cornelius RS, Koch BL, Pensak ML. Do contemporary temporal bone fracture classification systems reflect concurrent intracranial and cervical spine injuries? Laryngoscope 2011; 121:929-32. [PMID: 21520104 DOI: 10.1002/lary.21718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gordon H Sun
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Abstract
This is a systemic review of the published evidence regarding cervical spine management in unconscious trauma patients. We examine the literature in the following sections: use of plain radiography; use of flexion/extenson views; use of computed tomography; use of magnetic resonance imaging. We also review surveys of practice and current guidelines. In contrast to the conscious trauma patient there have been no large prospective multicentre studies to derive a clinical decision rule for the exclusion of cervical spine injury. This review therefore assesses currently available evidence to reach a logical conclusion regarding the most appropriate imaging strategy to exclude significant injury in the cervical spine, whilst minimising the time that a patient needs to remain immobilised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Blackham
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK, Air Operations, Great Western Ambulance Services, NHS Trust, UK
| | - Jonathan Benger
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK, Air Operations, Great Western Ambulance Services, NHS Trust, UK, Department of Emergency Care, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK, Clinical Effectiveness Committee, College of Emergency Medicine, UK,
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Duane TM, Cross J, Scarcella N, Wolfe LG, Mayglothling J, Aboutanos MB, Whelan JF, Malhotra AK, Ivatury RR. Flexion-Extension Cervical Spine Plain Films Compared with MRI in the Diagnosis of Ligamentous Injury. Am Surg 2010. [DOI: 10.1177/000313481007600622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare flexion-extension (FE) plain films with MRI as the gold standard in the diagnosis of ligamentous injury (LI) of the cervical spine after trauma. A retrospective review of patients sustaining blunt trauma from January 2000 to December 2008 (n = 22929) who had both FE and MRI of the cervical spine was performed. Two hundred seventy-one patients had 303 FE films. Forty-nine also had MRI. The average Injury Severity Score was 15.6 ± 10.2, Glasgow Coma Scale was 13.8 ± 3.5, lactate 2.2 ± 1.7 mmol/L, and hospital stay of 8 ± 11.2 days. FE failed to identify all eight LIs seen on MRI. FE film sensitivity was 0 per cent (zero of eight), specificity 98 per cent (40 of 41), positive predictive value 0 per cent (zero of one), and negative predictive value 83 per cent (40 of 48). Although classified as negative for purposes of analysis, FE was incomplete 20.5 per cent (62 of 303) and ambiguous 9.2 per cent (28 of 303) of the time. The charge of FE is $535 so $48150 (90 incomplete/ambiguous films) could have been saved by eliminating these films. FE should no longer be used to diagnose LI. Given the rare incidence of these injuries, MRI should be used when there is high clinical suspicion of injury.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Justin Cross
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | | | - Luke G. Wolfe
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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Cain G, Shepherdson J, Elliott V, Svensson J, Brennan P. Imaging suspected cervical spine injury: Plain radiography or computed tomography? Systematic review. Radiography (Lond) 2010; 16:68-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2009.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Gonzalez RP, Cummings GR, Phelan HA, Bosarge PL, Rodning CB. Clinical Examination in Complement With Computed Tomography Scan: An Effective Method for Identification of Cervical Spine Injury. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 67:1297-304. [DOI: 10.1097/ta.0b013e3181c0b604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Stengel D, Frank M, Matthes G, Schmucker U, Seifert J, Mutze S, Wich M, Hanson B, Giannoudis PV, Ekkernkamp A. Primary pan-computed tomography for blunt multiple trauma: can the whole be better than its parts? Injury 2009; 40 Suppl 4:S36-46. [PMID: 19895951 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2009.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Single-pass, whole-body computed tomography (pan-CT) was proposed in the late 1990s as a new concept for the diagnostic work-up of severely injured patients. Since its introduction, it has led to considerable debate among clinicians and scientists, triggered by concerns about its immediate safety, questionable therapeutic advantages and exposure to radiation. However, it was recently shown that pan-CT scanning may be associated with a reduction in trauma mortality. In this article, we provide an overview of current knowledge of the value of this compelling concept. The diagnostic accuracy of multidetector row CT (MDCT) for clearing various anatomical regions in trauma patients is, at best, unclear. Little is known about the accuracy of pan-CT as a whole, which weakens statements about its effectiveness and prevents inferences about survival advantages. This last point may be explained by a stage-migration or "Will Rogers" phenomenon: Pan-CT increases injury severity by detecting lesions that would not have been recognized by conventional methods but still do not affect treatment decisions, thus artificially lowering the ratio of observed to expected deaths. In order to maintain the credibility of pan-CT technology for trauma, a rigorous, large-scale evaluation of its accuracy is required. Such an evaluation requires consensus about the definition of true and false positive and negative findings in the setting of blunt multiple trauma. In addition, triage criteria need to be refined to increase specificity and reduce the number of unnecessary scans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Stengel
- Dept of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin and University of Greifswald, Germany.
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Theocharopoulos N, Chatzakis G, Damilakis J. Is radiography justified for the evaluation of patients presenting with cervical spine trauma? Med Phys 2009; 36:4461-70. [DOI: 10.1118/1.3213521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
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Como JJ, Diaz JJ, Dunham CM, Chiu WC, Duane TM, Capella JM, Holevar MR, Khwaja KA, Mayglothling JA, Shapiro MB, Winston ES. Practice Management Guidelines for Identification of Cervical Spine Injuries Following Trauma: Update From the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Practice Management Guidelines Committee. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 67:651-9. [DOI: 10.1097/ta.0b013e3181ae583b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 203] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Saltzherr TP, Fung Kon Jin PHP, Beenen LFM, Vandertop WP, Goslings JC. Diagnostic imaging of cervical spine injuries following blunt trauma: a review of the literature and practical guideline. Injury 2009; 40:795-800. [PMID: 19523626 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2009.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2008] [Revised: 12/31/2008] [Accepted: 01/08/2009] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- T P Saltzherr
- Trauma Unit Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Nordin M, Carragee EJ, Hogg-Johnson S, Weiner SS, Hurwitz EL, Peloso PM, Guzman J, van der Velde G, Carroll LJ, Holm LW, Côté P, Cassidy JD, Haldeman S. Assessment of neck pain and its associated disorders: results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2009; 32:S117-40. [PMID: 19251060 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Best evidence synthesis. OBJECTIVE To critically appraise and synthesize the literature on assessment of neck pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The published literature on assessment of neck pain is large and of variable quality. There have been no prior systematic reviews of this literature. METHODS The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders conducted a critical review of the literature (published 1980-2006) on assessment tools and screening protocols for traumatic and nontraumatic neck pain. RESULTS We found 359 articles on assessment of neck pain. After critical review, 95 (35%) were judged scientifically admissible. Screening protocols have high predictive values to detect cervical spine fracture in alert, low-risk patients seeking emergency care after blunt neck trauma. Computerized tomography (CT) scans had better validity (in adults and elderly) than radiographs in assessing high-risk and/or multi-injured blunt trauma neck patients. In the absence of serious pathology, clinical physical examinations are more predictive at excluding than confirming structural lesions causing neurologic compression. One exception is the manual provocation test for cervical radiculopathy, which has high positive predictive value. There was no evidence that specific MRI findings are associated with neck pain, cervicogenic headache, or whiplash exposure. No evidence supports using cervical provocative discography, anesthetic facet, or medial branch blocks in evaluating neck pain. Reliable and valid self-report questionnaires are useful in assessing pain, function, disability, and psychosocial status in individuals with neck pain. CONCLUSION The scientific evidence supports screening protocols in emergency care for low-risk patients; and CT-scans for high-risk patients with blunt trauma to the neck. In nonemergency neck pain without radiculopathy, the validity of most commonly used objective tests is lacking. There is support for subjective self-report assessment in monitoring patients' course, response to treatment, and in clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margareta Nordin
- Department of Orthopaedics and Program of Ergonomics and Biomechanics, School of Medicine and Graduate School of Arts and Science, New York University, NY, USA.
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Tewari MK, Ratnam KL, Shiv VK. Unilateral occipital condylar fracture presenting as neck pain and restriction of neck movements- Report of a case and review of literature. IJNT 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s0973-0508(08)80015-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
AbstractOccipital condylar fractures (OCFs) once rare injuries are not so at present. A young male, victim of motor vehicle accident, presented with severe high cervical pain and restriction of neck movements without any focal neurological deficit, with normal cervical spine x-rays and computerized tomography (CT) scans brain. CT scan and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) area revealed a retro-pulsed segment in the cervical spinal canal with no cord compression or ligament injury. Patient improved with immobilization of neck. Patients with severe high cervical pain and restricted head movements OCF should be suspected and patient should be evaluated further. Majority of stable OCF improve with immobilization only.
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Abstract
Object
Diagnosis of cervical spinal injury (CSI) is an essential aspect of the trauma evaluation. This task is especially difficult in patients who are not clinically able to be evaluated (unevaluable) because of distracting painful injuries, intoxication, or concomitant head injury. For this population, the appropriate use of advanced imaging techniques for cervical spinal clearance remains undetermined. This study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of unstable CSI, particularly among patients in whom clinical evaluation is impossible or unreliable.
Methods
Estimates of the prevalence of CSI in populations consisting of all trauma patients, alert patients only, and clinically unevaluable patients only were determined by variance-weighted pooling of data from 65 publications (281,864 patients) that met criteria for review.
Results
The overall prevalence of CSI among all trauma patients was 3.7%. The prevalence of CSI in alert patients was 2.8%, whereas unevaluable patients were at increased risk of CSI with a prevalence of 7.7% (p = 0.007). Overall, 41.9% of all CSI cases were considered to exhibit instability.
Conclusions
Trauma patients who are clinically unevaluable have a higher prevalence of CSI than alert patients. Knowledge of the prevalence and risk of such injuries may help establish an evidence-based approach to the detection and management of clinically occult CSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew H. Milby
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; and
| | - Casey H. Halpern
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; and
| | - Wensheng Guo
- 2Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sherman C. Stein
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; and
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Greenbaum J, Walters N, Levy PD. An evidenced-based approach to radiographic assessment of cervical spine injuries in the emergency department. J Emerg Med 2008; 36:64-71. [PMID: 18783909 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2008.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2007] [Revised: 12/21/2007] [Accepted: 01/07/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The modern approach to suspected cervical spine injuries is highly dependent on appropriate utilization of radiographic studies. Clinical decision rules have been developed for determination of those most likely to benefit from plain film studies, but there is confusion regarding those who should undergo computed tomography (CT) scanning. This case-based review highlights current available evidence and provides a framework to guide emergency medicine providers in the treatment of patients with trauma to the cervical spine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Greenbaum
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Detroit Receiving Hospital-Emergency Medicine Residency, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA
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42
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Jin PHPFK, Goslings JC, Ponsen KJ, van Kuijk C, Hoogerwerf N, Luitse JS. Assessment of a New Trauma Workflow Concept Implementing a Sliding CT Scanner in the Trauma Room: The Effect on Workup Times. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 64:1320-6. [DOI: 10.1097/ta.0b013e318059b9ae] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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43
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Hitosugi M, Maegawa M, Motozawa Y, Kido M, Kawato H, Nagai T, Tokudome S. Analysis of Cervical Injuries in Persons With Head Injuries. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2008; 29:23-6. [DOI: 10.1097/paf.0b013e3181651b8a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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44
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Nordin M, Carragee EJ, Hogg-Johnson S, Weiner SS, Hurwitz EL, Peloso PM, Guzman J, van der Velde G, Carroll LJ, Holm LW, Côté P, Cassidy JD, Haldeman S. Assessment of Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Eur Spine J 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/s00586-008-0630-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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45
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Nordin M, Carragee EJ, Hogg-Johnson S, Weiner SS, Hurwitz EL, Peloso PM, Guzman J, van der Velde G, Carroll LJ, Holm LW, Côté P, Cassidy JD, Haldeman S; Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Assessment of neck pain and its associated disorders: results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2008; 33:S101-22. [PMID: 18204385 DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181644ae8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Best evidence synthesis. OBJECTIVE To critically appraise and synthesize the literature on assessment of neck pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The published literature on assessment of neck pain is large and of variable quality. There have been no prior systematic reviews of this literature. METHODS The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders conducted a critical review of the literature (published 1980-2006) on assessment tools and screening protocols for traumatic and nontraumatic neck pain. RESULTS We found 359 articles on assessment of neck pain. After critical review, 95 (35%) were judged scientifically admissible. Screening protocols have high predictive values to detect cervical spine fracture in alert, low-risk patients seeking emergency care after blunt neck trauma. Computerized tomography (CT) scans had better validity (in adults and elderly) than radiographs in assessing high-risk and/or multi-injured blunt trauma neck patients. In the absence of serious pathology, clinical physical examinations are more predictive at excluding than confirming structural lesions causing neurologic compression. One exception is the manual provocation test for cervical radiculopathy, which has high positive predictive value. There was no evidence that specific MRI findings are associated with neck pain, cervicogenic headache, or whiplash exposure. No evidence supports using cervical provocative discography, anesthetic facet, or medial branch blocks in evaluating neck pain. Reliable and valid self-report questionnaires are useful in assessing pain, function, disability, and psychosocial status in individuals with neck pain. CONCLUSION The scientific evidence supports screening protocols in emergency care for low-risk patients; and CT-scans for high-risk patients with blunt trauma to the neck. In nonemergency neck pain without radiculopathy, the validity of most commonly used objective tests is lacking. There is support for subjective self-report assessment in monitoring patients' course, response to treatment, and in clinical research.
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Fraser JF, Boockvar J, Hartl R. Traumatic Injury of the Spine. Surgery 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-68113-9_30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Heyer CM, Nicolas V, Peters SA. Unilateral hyperplasia of a cervical spinous process as a rare congenital variant of the spine. Clin Imaging 2007; 31:434-6. [PMID: 17996611 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2007.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2007] [Accepted: 03/24/2007] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Congenital variants of the cervical spine may mimic traumatic lesions and may cause recurrent episodes of pain. We report a 24-year-old female patient with chronic neck pain who had marked unilateral hyperplasia of the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. CT and MRI clearly depicted the abnormality and, furthermore, ruled out posttraumatic spinal changes. To our knowledge, our case is the first patient reported with this rare congenital variant diagnosed by cross-sectional imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph M Heyer
- Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, BG Clinics "Bergmannsheil", Ruhr University of Bochum, D-44789 Bochum, Germany.
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Mulkens TH, Marchal P, Daineffe S, Salgado R, Bellinck P, te Rijdt B, Kegelaers B, Termote JL. Comparison of low-dose with standard-dose multidetector CT in cervical spine trauma. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2007; 28:1444-50. [PMID: 17846188 PMCID: PMC8134402 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a0608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The purpose of this work was to evaluate the possible use of low-dose multidetector CT (MDCT) in cervical clearance of patients with blunt trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 191 patients underwent cervical spine MDCT with 6- and 16-MDCT: standard-dose (n = 51) and low-dose MDCT with tube current modulation at high (n = 70) and low (n = 70) tube voltage (kilovolts). Effective dose, image noise, and subjective image quality were calculated in all of the patients. RESULTS MDCT found 18 patients (9.4%) with a cervical spine fracture, 3 in the standard-dose and 15 in the low-dose group, 14 of them with unstable lesions. Tube current modulation reduced the dose by 50%-61% in all of the low-dose examinations. The mean effective dose was 3.75, 1.57, and 1.08 mSv, and mean image noise was 14.82, 17.46, and 19.72 Hounsfield units for standard dose and low dose with high and low kilovolt examinations, respectively. These differences in mean effective dose and image noise were significant between the 3 examination groups (Kruskal-Wallis test: P < .0001 and P = .0001). Evaluation of subjective image quality by 2 radiologists and 2 residents showed no significant difference in image quality score among the 3 examination groups (Kruskal-Wallis tests, P = .61, .32, .18, and .31). All of the reviewers correctly detected 18 fractures, except 1 resident, who missed 3 fractures. CONCLUSION Low-dose cervical spine MDCT in patients with blunt trauma gives a substantial dose reduction of 61%-71%, compared with standard-dose MDCT, with a small increase in image noise and without difference in subjective image quality evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- T H Mulkens
- Department of Radiology, Heilig Hart Ziekenhuis, Lier, Belgium.
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50
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Abstract
Recently published works on radiology and emergency medicine suggest an increasing role for primary CT imaging of the cervical spine (C-spine) in trauma, rather than plain X-rays. This observational retrospective study of 406 patients was undertaken to examine current practice in a metropolitan teaching hospital setting and to define factors affecting the use of primary imaging for suspected C-spine fracture. This study supports the increasing recognition of the limited accuracy and adequacy of plain films, especially among the more severely injured patients. It is suggested that intubated patients, patients with severe trauma or patients with Glasgow Coma Scale <13 have CT as a primary screening examination for suspected C-spine fracture rather than X-ray. Patients having head CT for suspected intracranial injury may also benefit from included C-spine CT. The increasing usage of primary CT will increase overall imaging costs and resource utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Jones
- Medical Imaging Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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