title: Classification and Management of Pediatric Subaxial Cervical Spine Injuries.
abstract: Appropriate management of subaxial spine injury in children requires an appreciation for the differences in anatomy, biomechanics, injury patterns, and treatment options compared with adult patients. Increased flexibility, weak neck muscles, and cranial disproportion predispose younger children to upper cervical injuries and spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality. A majority of subaxial cervical spine injuries can be treated nonoperatively. Surgical instrumentation options for children have significantly increased in recent years. Future studies of outcomes for children with subaxial cervical spine injury should focus on injury classification and standardized outcome measures to ensure continued improvement in quality of care for this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Children's of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 7th Avenue South, Lowder Suite 400, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, USA.
authors.forename: Casey J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Madura
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Children's of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 7th Avenue South, Lowder Suite 400, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, USA. Electronic address: jimj@uab.edu.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Johnston
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000145:classification* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Injury; Management; Pediatric; Subaxial cervical spine; Surgery