title: [Spinal trauma: first aid from cross-sectional imaging].
abstract: The diagnosis of the traumatized spine is one of the key issues for trauma radiologists. The cross-sectional imaging procedures, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the essential methods in spinal trauma radiology. These modalities are of great help in accurately assessing injury patterns and extent and in providing indications of patient outcome. In contrast to cross-sectional imaging, radiography has a role in the evaluation of minor spinal trauma only. It is generally accepted that trauma radiologists do not use typical classifications to evaluate the spine partly because such an ideal classification system does not yet exist. Not least because of this classification difficulty, eponyms and synonyms are widely used to describe traumatology of the spine as a high level of specific information is included in these various terms. The members of the trauma team should be aware of the strengths and limitations of the methods used in the assessment of the spine. This article provides a brief outline of fundamental knowledge about the diagnosis of spinal trauma.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Radiology Schueller, Untere Mühle 6, 8173, Neerach, Schweiz, office@emergencyradiology.ch.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schueller
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schueller-Weidekamm
mesh_terms: D005392:First Aid / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*