Unrecognised fractures and dislocations of the cervical spine.
Failure to diagnose a fracture of the spine may lead to spinal cord damage due to incorrect handling of the patient. The three most common causes of failure to radiologically diagnose a fracture of the cervical spine after injury are: (1)inadequate demonstration of the entire cervical spine on the lateral view; (2) Failure to X-ray the cervical spine after head injury; (3) Incorrect interpretation of the radiological appearances. The relevant radiological features are discussed.
D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009192:Myelography; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*