Pre-cervical soft tissues: a cautionary note.
Visualization of pre-cervical soft tissue swelling on a lateral radiograph is an important indicator of possible bony injury in the context of cervical spine trauma. We report a case where apparent swelling was in fact an artefact due to an inappropriately placed endotracheal tube. We recommend review of the position of endotracheal tubes when interpreting pre-cervical soft tissue swelling.
Fox
B M
BM
Department of Radiology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, Devon, UK.
Harries
S R
SR
Defriend
D E
DE
Hughes
P M
PM
D016477:Artifacts; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004487:Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed