Initial radiographic evaluation of the spine after trauma: when, what, where, and how to image the acutely traumatized spine.
Publication/Presentation Date
10-1-2005
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Radiographic evaluation of the spine after an acute traumatic event is an integral part of the initial assessment of the patient. Despite this, an imaging protocol that includes detailed recommendations of the views, modalities, and techniques of radiographic work-up is lacking in the peer-reviewed literature.
STUDY PURPOSE: The goal of the current review was to suggest a uniform protocol for initial imaging in the traumatized patient and provide a rationale and guidelines to assist in deciding which studies are indicated and at what time they are best obtained.
METHODS: The authors' reviewed the available modern, published, English literature, including both peer-reviewed articles and commonly used textbooks, for recommendations concerning which imaging studies are most effective and cost-efficient in detecting spinal injuries in the acute trauma setting. A list of radiologic studies was compiled. A panel of spine surgeon members of the Spine Trauma Study Group, all of whom were highly experienced in trauma management, evaluated the utility and necessity of these imaging studies.
CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons agreed that the mainstay of initial radiographic evaluation of the spine after acute trauma remains plain radiographs. CT scanning remains the best mode of delineating the bony details of a spinal injury and should be used to characterize all bony injuries identified on plain radiographs. As CT technology continues to improve, it is likely to play an even greater role as an initial screening tool. The role for MRI continues to expand, particularly in detecting the soft tissue components of injuries.
Volume
19
Issue
9
First Page
640
Last Page
649
ISSN
0890-5339
Published In/Presented At
France, J. C., Bono, C. M., & Vaccaro, A. R. (2005). Initial radiographic evaluation of the spine after trauma: when, what, where, and how to image the acutely traumatized spine. Journal of orthopaedic trauma, 19(9), 640–649. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.bot.0000188036.69078.ef
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
16247310
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article