title: State of play: clearing the thoracolumbar spine in blunt trauma victims.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Bunbury Regional Hospital, Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Marten C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Howes
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Pearce
mesh_terms: 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*