title: Imaging of the cervical spine in injured patients.
abstract: Cervical spine injury can be excluded by clinical examination, without the need for radiographic study, in many patients. For those who require study, computed tomography of the cervical spine with sagittal and coronal reconstruction is the best modality for both screening and diagnosing cervical spine injury. Optimal evaluation of the obtunded patient remains controversial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Education, Iowa Methodist Medical Center, 1415 Woodland Avenue, Suite 140, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA.
authors.forename: James T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Quann
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sidwell
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D009104:Multiple Trauma; D010808:Physical Examination; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging