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- Title
A Comparison of Flexion and Extension Radiographs with Computed Tomography of the Cervical Spine in Blunt Trauma.
- Authors
Goodnight, Travis J.; Helmer, Stephen D.; Dort, Jonathan M.; Nold, R. Joseph; Smith, R. Stephen
- Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare flexion and extension (F/E) cervical radiographs with CT of the cervical spine in patients sustaining blunt trauma for the evaluation of ligamentous injury. A retrospective chart review of 2 years duration at an American College of Surgeons-verified Level I trauma center was performed. All patients sustaining blunt trauma who were evaluated with both a CT as well as F/E radiographs were identified. Exclusion criteria included penetrating injuries, neurologic symptoms, and age younger than 18 years. Follow-up MRI of each positive F/E radiograph after a negative CT scan was performed. Flexion and extension cervical radiographs were obtained in 379 patients after CT. Eight positive F/E radiographs were obtained after a negative CT scan. Follow-up MRI was negative for ligamentous injury in all cases. No cases of a clinically relevant positive F/E radiograph after a negative CT scan were identified. Follow-up F/E radiographs are not efficacious when a negative CT has been performed in blunt trauma without neurologic findings.
- Subjects
RADIOGRAPHY; TOMOGRAPHY; CERVICAL vertebrae radiography; BLUNT trauma; DIAGNOSTIC imaging
- Publication
American Surgeon, 2008, Vol 74, Issue 9, p855
- ISSN
0003-1348
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/000313480807400918