Spinal trauma is an important cause of disability worldwide. Injury to the cervical spine (CS) occurs frequently after majortrauma. 5–10% of patients with blunt trauma have a cervical spine injury. The cervical spine accounts for~50% of all spinalinjuries. Determination of CS stability is a common challenge in the acute care setting of patients with trauma. Several issues,indeed, are of particular concern: who needs CS imaging; what imaging should be obtained; when should computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or fexion/extension (F/E) radiographs be obtained; and how is signifcantligamentous injury excluded in the comatose patient. CT and MRI both have roles to play. This article aims to present thediferent imaging to frame techniques to be used with greater precision in the acute event also for the purpose of planningthe next therapeutic process. An overview of the applicability of the same methods in forensic pathology is also providedhighlighting possible future biomarker to ease in diagnosis of acute TBI.
Cervical spine injury. Clinical and medico-legal overview
Gianpietro Volonnino;
2023-01-01
Abstract
Spinal trauma is an important cause of disability worldwide. Injury to the cervical spine (CS) occurs frequently after majortrauma. 5–10% of patients with blunt trauma have a cervical spine injury. The cervical spine accounts for~50% of all spinalinjuries. Determination of CS stability is a common challenge in the acute care setting of patients with trauma. Several issues,indeed, are of particular concern: who needs CS imaging; what imaging should be obtained; when should computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or fexion/extension (F/E) radiographs be obtained; and how is signifcantligamentous injury excluded in the comatose patient. CT and MRI both have roles to play. This article aims to present thediferent imaging to frame techniques to be used with greater precision in the acute event also for the purpose of planningthe next therapeutic process. An overview of the applicability of the same methods in forensic pathology is also providedhighlighting possible future biomarker to ease in diagnosis of acute TBI.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
