[Fractures of the cervical vertebrae: diagnosis with multi-slice spiral CT].
OBJECTIVE
It is the aim of this study to investigate the efficiency of multislice helical CT for the diagnosis of cervical spine fractures. The advantages of this technique are demonstrated by case reports.


METHODS
The entire cervical spine or selected vertebral bodies of 66 patients with cervical spine fractures known from preceding plain films were scanned with a multislice helical CT. The CT-scans were obtained with a slice thickness of 1.25 mm and with two different pitches (0.75 or 1.5) and table speeds (3.75 or 7.5 mm/rot.). Additionally, sagittal and coronal reformations were performed.


RESULTS
The mean scan-time for the cervical spine was 13 seconds. High quality sagittal and coronal reformations were obtained from axial images within a few minutes. Fractures of the dens (n = 17) and of the vertebral body of C3-C7 (n = 12) occurred predominantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Multislice helical CT is an effective tool to diagnose fractures of the cervical spine rapidly and exactly.
Funke
C
C
Abteilung Röntgendiagnostik I, Klinikum der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen.
Funke
M
M
Raab
B
B
Grabbe
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed