The role of cervical CT imaging in primary diagnosis of severely injured patients

Author(s): GUŁA PRZEMYSŁAW, KOSZOWSKA MAŁGORZATA, STECH WOJCIECH, KWIATKOWSKI STANISŁAW, KOSTRZEWA DOROTA

INTRODUCTION. The radiological clearance of cervical spine injuries is a part of Advanced Trauma Life Support protocols. However the value of different methods, plane radiographs versus CT scaning is still discussed. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The study is a retrospective analysis of cervical spine injuries diagnostics in 109 multiply injured patients based on experience of the Emergency Department of Regional Hospital in Sosnowiec. Authors evaluated the result of 48 cases combining head CT imaging with cervical spine examination down to the Th1 level. RESULTS. Following this protocol 5 cervical spine fractures were identified. Among them 3 had no preexisting neurological deficits. DISCUSSION. Results confirmed the value of standard C-spine immobilization and necessity of early radiological clearance. CONCLUSIONS. Joint examination of cervical spine in head trauma diagnosing is proved to be the good standard in multiply injured patients, however it’s use is limited to haemodynamicaly stable patients.