Cervical spine fractures in geriatric blunt trauma patients with low-energy mechanism: are clinical predictors adequate?
BACKGROUND
Studies have identified clinical predictors to guide radiologic evaluation of the cervical spine in geriatric patients. We hypothesized that clinical predictors are not adequate in the identification of cervical spine fractures in geriatric blunt trauma patients with low-energy mechanism.


METHODS
A retrospective case-control study was performed on geriatric blunt trauma patients sustaining low-energy trauma from January 2000 to January 2006. A data form including 8 clinical predictors was completed for each group.


RESULTS
There were 35 study and 64 control patients identified. Both groups were similar in age (study 83.6 vs control 81.2) and injury severity score (study 9.06 vs control 9.61). Only neck tenderness exceeded the expected occurrence in the presence of a cervical spine injury (chi(2) = 18.1, P = .001) in just 45.5% of the study group.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical predictors appear inadequate for the evaluation of the cervical spine in geriatric trauma patients with low-energy mechanism.
Schrag
Sherwin P
SP
Division of Trauma/Surgical Critical Care, St. Luke's Hospital and University of Pennsylvania Trauma Network, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.
Toedter
Lori J
LJ
McQuay
Nathaniel
N
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011336:Probability; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology