title: The adequacy of cervical spine radiographs in the accident and emergency department.
abstract: One hundred and twenty radiographs of the cervical spine were performed at the request of the Accident and Emergency (A & E) department over a 6 week period. These consecutive films were reviewed for adequacy of anatomical demonstration of the complete cervical spine. The initial series of three films presented to the A& E staff achieved this objective in only 55% of cases overall, although further radiographic examinations requested before the patient left the department raised this figure to 75% for the lateral view and to 70% for the combined anteroposterior (AP) views. From the data it can be predicted that if every patient whose first 3 films were inadequate had received further investigation, the cervical spine would have been well visualized on approximately 90% of radiographs in each plane. The availability of radiologists for advice and their involvement with senior A & E staff in teaching are important factors in improving this situation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Accident & Emergency Medicine, Hope Hospital, Salford.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moulton
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004635:Emergency Medicine; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011859:Radiography