title: Imaging of spinal trauma.
abstract: Approximately 2% to 3% of blunt trauma victims suffer injury to the spinal column each year, often with devastating consequences. This article discusses clinical criteria for screening for spinal injury and the increasing roles of multidetector CT and MR imaging in the evaluation of spinal trauma. Both CT and MR imaging safety issues also are addressed. Lastly, the role of imaging in the evaluation of whiplash injury, instability, vascular injury, and delayed traumatic sequelae is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. linda.bagley@uphs.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Bagley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000465:Algorithms; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000293:injuries; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging