title: Significance of prevertebral soft tissue measurement in cervical spine injuries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of prevertebral soft tissue swelling in cervical spine injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of 107 consecutive patients with suspected injuries of the cervical vertebrae were reviewed retrospectively to identify the presence of prevertebral soft tissue swelling and to investigate the association of prevertebral soft tissue swelling with the types and degrees of cervical spine injuries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevertebral soft tissue swelling occurred in 47 (43.9%) patients. Of the 47 patients, 38 were found with bony injury and nine were without. The statistic difference was significant (P < 0.05). No correlation was demonstrated between soft tissue swelling and either the injured level of the cervical vertebrae or the degree of the spinal cord injury (P > 0.05). Anterior element injuries in the cervical vertebrae had widening of the prevertebral soft tissue more than posterior element injuries (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnostic value of prevertebral soft tissue swelling for cervical spine injuries is significant, but the absence of this sign does not mean that further image evaluation can be spared.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai 200092, China. lydai@etang.com
authors.forename: Li-Yang
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Dai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004487:Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*