State of play: clearing the thoracolumbar spine in blunt trauma victims.
BACKGROUND
The present article reviews the clinical and imaging clearance of the thoracic and lumbar spines of blunt trauma victims and the evolution of these strategies with the use of new imaging technologies.


METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was performed, and articles identified were critically appraised


RESULTS
Twenty papers were identified, 12 directly comparing computed tomography screening with plain X-rays. Evidence-based protocols are presented. The evolution of imaging strategies in response to new technology is described.


CONCLUSIONS
Thoracolumbar spine screening is best done using reformatted images acquired when scanning the chest and abdomen of high-risk multi-trauma patients. If computed tomography is not clinically indicated for investigation of other injuries then plain films are the first line investigation.
Howes
Marten C
MC
Bunbury Regional Hospital, Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia.
Pearce
Andrew P
AP
D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*