Imaging of the cervical spine and its role in clinical decision making.
Thorough imaging of the cervical spine often requires more than one test. The many available options from which to choose can often lead to redundancy and confusion regarding the best test series. In an effort to make the process of choosing the most effective imaging series more efficient, we review the current literature on cervical imaging and, from the information gathered, construct a diagnostic imaging algorithm for evaluating the cervical spine.
Murphy
R B
RB
Chattanooga Orthopaedic Group, Foundation for Research, TN 37404, USA.
Humphreys
S C
SC
Fisher
D L
DL
Hodges
S D
SD
Eck
J C
JC
D000465:Algorithms; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009192:Myelography / Q000379:methods; D009683:Nuclear Medicine / Q000379:methods; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods