title: The incidence of injury to the cervical spine in patients with craniocerebral injury.
abstract: 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, the records of 1,272 consecutive patients with blunt injuries admitted to a Level I regional trauma center were reviewed. Patients with serious craniocerebral injury were at no greater risk for injury to the cervical spine than patients without trauma to the head (1.8% vs. 3.5%, p = NS by Chi-square analysis). Although observance of cervical spine precautions is usually paramount, there may be times when this concern is superceded by the need to gain definitive airway control in a patient with injury to the brain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden.
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: O'Malley
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*