Towards evidence based emergency medicine: best BETs from the Manchester Royal Infirmary. Cervical spine radiography in alert asymptomatic blunt trauma patients.
A short cut review was carried out to establish whether a normal cervical spine radiograph excludes bony cervical spine injury in alert, asymptomatic trauma patients. Altogether 232 papers were found using the reported search, of which six presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are shown in table 2. A clinical bottom line is stated.
Bates
Damian
D
Department of Emergency Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK.
Butler
John
J
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*