title: Emergency neurological life support: traumatic spine injury.
abstract: Traumatic spine injuries (TSIs) carry significantly high risks of morbidity, mortality, and exorbitant health care costs from associated medical needs following injury. For these reasons, TSI was chosen as an ENLS protocol. This article offers a comprehensive review on the management of spinal column injuries using the best available evidence. Though the review focuses primarily on cervical spinal column injuries, thoracolumbar injuries are briefly discussed as well. The initial emergency department clinical evaluation of possible spinal fractures and cord injuries, along with the definitive early management of confirmed injuries, are also covered.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. dstein@umm.edu
authors.forename: Deborah M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Roddy
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marx
authors.forename: Wade S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Scott D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Weingart
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000465:Algorithms; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000379:methods; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones