title: Pearls for Interpreting Computed Tomography of the Cervical Spine in Trauma.
abstract: The high morbidity and mortality associated with cervical spine injuries makes identification and classification essential. It is important to have a systematic approach to evaluation, especially in the trauma setting with other distracting injuries. Understanding the anatomy and biomechanics enables rapid and accurate interpretation of images. In severe trauma and in patients with rigid spinal disease, the classic patterns of injury may be difficult or impossible to recognize. This article provides an approach to acquiring and interpreting cervical spine images in the setting of acute trauma and reviews the classic patterns of injury.
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, 899 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Darras
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, 899 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada.
authors.forename: Gordon T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, 899 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada.
authors.forename: Patrick D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, St Joseph's Hospital, 2137 Comox Avenue, Comox, British Columbia V9M 1P2, Canada.
authors.forename: Nivmand
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khorrami-Arani
authors.affiliation: Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, 1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roston
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, 899 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada.
authors.forename: Bruce B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Forster
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, 899 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada. Electronic address: lucklouis@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Luck
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Louis
mesh_terms: D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D050815:Fractures, Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Cervical spine; Computed tomography; Dose reduction; Polytrauma; Trauma