C5-6 cervical dislocation resulting from improper seat belt use.
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.
Frank
E H
EH
Department of Surgery, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA.
Pennington
S E
SE
Keenen
T L
TL
Frankel
P
P
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*