Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://ahro.austin.org.au/austinjspui/handle/1/10328
Title: Isolated ligamentous cervical spinal injury in the polytrauma patient with a head injury.
Austin Authors: Weinberg, Laurence ;Hiew, Chee-Yan;Brown, Douglas J;Lim, E J;Hart, Graeme K 
Affiliation: Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
Issue Date: 1-Feb-2007
Publication information: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care; 35(1): 99-104
Abstract: The evaluation of the cervical spine in the unconscious trauma patient is a difficult and controversial topic in trauma management. Conventional cervical clearance protocols consisting of plain radiology and computed tomography may not adequately detect unstable cervical ligament and disc injuries, even though a high-risk mechanism of injury has occurred. We present two cases where cervical clearance protocols, utilising plain X-rays and multi-slice computed tomography, failed to identify significant ligamentous spinal injuries. A delay in diagnosis or a missed spinal injury can lead to delays in treatment, thereby increasing the risk of neurological deterioration with the potential devastating sequela of quadriplegia. Therefore, in the unconscious trauma patient who, by definition, has sustained a high-risk mechanism injury, we routinely recommend the use of magnetic resonance imaging in addition to plain X-rays and computed tomography, to evaluate further discoligamentous status.
Gov't Doc #: 17323675
URI: https://ahro.austin.org.au/austinjspui/handle/1/10328
Journal: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care
URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17323675
Type: Journal Article
Subjects: Adult
Cervical Vertebrae.injuries.radiography
Coma.complications.etiology
Craniocerebral Trauma.diagnosis.etiology
Female
Glasgow Coma Scale
Humans
Ligaments.injuries
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Multiple Trauma.complications
Spinal Fractures
Thoracic Vertebrae.injuries.radiography
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Appears in Collections:Journal articles

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