title: Use of an adjustable, transportable, radiolucent spinal immobilization device in the comprehensive management of cervical spine instability. Technical note.
abstract: In this report the authors describe a device that consists of a transportable, radiolucent board that couples to a standard halo head ring. The board provides continuous cervical spine immobilization during all phases of acute medical treatment of cervical spine instability, including closed reduction, transport, radiographic imaging, and operative procedures. By combining the advantages of several existing systems, this immobilization device facilitates and improves the safety of comprehensive acute management of cervical spinal instability by eliminating the need for patient transfer from stretcher to radiography machine to operating table. Its radiolucent construction and its compatibility with standard operating tables allow unencumbered surgical access and ample room for biplanar fluoroscopy, thereby also facilitating operative procedures, particularly the placement of internal spinal fixation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701, USA.
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Tuite
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Veres
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Crockard
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hayward
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013523:Surgical Equipment