title: C5-6 cervical dislocation resulting from improper seat belt use.
abstract: Motorists may improperly use the diagonal shoulder belt of newer passive restraint systems by failing to use the lap belt. An unusual case of patient who did not wear a lap belt and who sustained a cervical C5-6 distraction injury resulting in quadriplegia is reported. Emergency physicians should be aware of this injury mechanism and should reinforce proper passive restraint use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA.
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Pennington
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Keenen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frankel
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000009:adverse effects*