Cervical spine injury: a clinical decision rule to identify high-risk patients for helical CT screening

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to validate the routine use of a clinical decision rule to direct diagnostic imaging of adult blunt trauma patients at high risk for cervical spine injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We previously developed and have since routinely used a prediction rule based on six clinical parameters to identify patients at greater than 5% risk of cervical spine injury to undergo screening helical CT of the cervical spine. During a 6-month period, 4285 screening imaging studies of the cervical spine were performed in adult blunt trauma patients. Six hundred one patients (398 males, 203 females; age range, 16-100 years; median age, 38 years) underwent helical CT, and the remainder underwent 3684 conventional radiographic examinations. Clinical and report data were extracted from the radiology department database, medical records, and the hospital trauma registry. Abnormal findings were independently confirmed by additional imaging studies, autopsy results, or clinical outcome. RESULTS: The true-positive cervical spine injury rates in helical CT- and conventional radiography-screened patients who presented directly to our trauma center were 40 (8.7%) of 462 and seven (0.2%) of 3684, respectively. The cervical spine injury rate in patients who were transferred from outside institutions to our trauma center and who underwent helical CT was 37 (26.6%) of 139. This figure included 20 patients already known to have cervical spine fracture. CONCLUSION: The clinical decision rule can distinguish patients at high and low risk of cervical spine injury, thus supporting its validity.     

Cervical spine trauma in children under 5 years: productivity of CT

The aim of the study was to determine the value of CT in the evaluation of cervical spine trauma in children under 5 years in the Emergency Department. A retrospective review of 606 patients undergoing cervical spine examination in the emergency room was undertaken. The age and sex of the patients were documented, and in addition presence or absence of fracture-dislocation was noted on each of the plain film and CT studies. Of the 606 patients studied, 459 (75.7%) were cleared by a combination of clinical and plain film radiographic findings. The other 147 (24.3%) went on to CT imaging for clearing of the cervical spine. Of the 147 patients evaluated with CT, 143 (97.3%) had exams that were negative for fracture, dislocation, and instability. Only four (2.7%) demonstrated positive findings for fracture, dislocation, or instability. All of these patients had positive, diagnostic findings on initial plain film evaluation. Another five patients demonstrated new findings which were unrelated to trauma and of no clinical consequence. The yield of positive, clinically significant findings on CT of cervical spine injuries in children less than 5 years was low and showed significant findings only in patients where the same findings were seen on initial plain radiographs.     

Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms in patients 65 years or older: clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A controversial discussion concerning treatment of aneurysms in elderly patients exists. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical outcome in patients older than 65 years harboring intracranial aneurysms after endovascular treatment.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 108 patients aged 65 years or older (mean age, 72 years, range, 65–87 years) were selected for endovascular treatment between 1997 and 2005. A total of 85 (78.7%) patients had an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). SAH was classified according to Hunt and Hess (HH) grade: I (n = 16), II (n = 11), III (n = 33), IV (n = 19), and V (n = 6). There were 69 aneurysms that were small; 46, medium; 8, large; and 5, giant. Occlusion rate was categorized as complete (100%), subtotal (95% to 99%), and incomplete (<95%) obliteration according to the Raymond scale.RESULTS: Endovascular treatment was technically feasible in 108 of 113 aneurysms. Complete occlusion could be achieved in 80 patients; basal remnant was seen in 26 patients and a dog ear in 2 patients. Procedural complications included thrombotic vessel occlusion (n = 9), aneurysmal rupture (n = 4), and stenosis of the parent vessel (n = 2). The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) for the patients with SAH after 6 months was good recovery (n = 43), moderate disability (n = 12), severe disability (n = 28), persistent vegetative state (n = 5), and death (n = 18). Outcome for the patients with unruptured aneurysms was good recovery in all 23 patients. On follow-up digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in 69 patients, complete aneurysmal occlusion was confirmed in 81% after 6 months. Five patients with recanalization were re-treated with coiling.CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms in this subgroup was safe and effective.

The incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) increases with age: at the third decade of life, the incidence is approximately 1.5 to 2.5 per 100,000 per year, at the eighth decade, it is approximately 40 to 78 per 100,000 per year.^1,2 Conservative treatment of ruptured aneurysms in elderly patients is known to be associated with a poor outcome.³ Some studies reveal a slightly better outcome after surgery,⁴ but these results are not consistent.⁵There are some findings that the outcome in elderly patients is not associated by age but by the clinical grade of the aneurysm.⁶ First, results concerning endovascular treatment revealed a benefit in outcome for this patient group.⁷ However, because of a higher incidence of atherosclerotic diseases and tortuous vessels, the procedural complications in respect to thromboembolic events and therapy failure may increase. Furthermore, the individual life expectancy and the risk for aneurysmal rupture have to be estimated before a decision is made about therapy.⁸ Some studies on the use of endovascular therapies in elderly patients did reveal a higher risk for this subgroup of patients (eg, the SPACE study reported a higher risk for patients older than 70 years).⁹ Therefore, the question arises of whether endovascular therapy should be performed according to an age-related category.     

Cervical spine screening with CT in trauma patients: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the cost-effectiveness of computed tomography (CT) relative to radiography for cervical spine screening in trauma patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A decision analysis model was constructed to compare the incremental cost-effectiveness of radiography and CT as primary cervical spine screening modalities in trauma patients. Analyses were performed from a societal perspective, and probability and cost estimates from the literature and institutional experience were used. In separate cost-effectiveness analyses, hypothetical cohorts of trauma patients from three defined clinical scenarios were considered: high, moderate, and low risk for cervical spine fracture. Outcome measures included cases of paralysis prevented, total cost of screening strategies, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. RESULTS: In high-risk patients, screening with CT is a dominant strategy that prevents cases of paralysis and saves money for society. In moderate-risk patients, screening with CT is cost-effective with reference-case assumptions and within the range of most sensitivity analyses. In the low-risk group, CT screening helps prevent cases of paralysis, but the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is high (> $80,000 per quality-adjusted life year). CONCLUSION: CT is the preferred cervical spine screening modality in trauma patients at high and moderate risk for cervical spine fracture.     

Efficacy of limited CT for nonvisualized lower cervical spine in patients with blunt trauma

Records of 100 patients with blunt injury and nonvisualization of C7 and T1 on cross-table lateral and swimmer's views were reviewed to evaluate the usefulness of limited computed tomographic (CT) scans in “clearing”¹ the lower cervical vertebrae of injury. CT was deemed necessary and performed in all of these cases because the lower cervical spine could not be evaluated clinically or with plain radiographs. Ninety-seven of these 100 patients had normal findings on CT and only three patients showed cervical spine fractures. All three had isolated and stable fractures. Two of these patients had “clay-shoveler” fractures at C6 and C7, respectively, and one had a single laminar fracture at C7. All three patients were conservatively treated. This study emphasizes the value of clinical correlation in the evaluation of cervical spine trauma. When deemed necessary in symptomatic patients, CT is useful to exclude skeletal injury in the lower cervical spine thus avoiding delay in the patient's workup and unnecessary hospitalization, and expediting patient discharge. Lack of pain and neurological findings in nonintoxicated, conscious, and alert patients is generally not associated with significant soft tissue or skeletal injury.     

Assessing cervical spine stability in obtunded blunt trauma patients: review of medical literature

PURPOSE: To review the current medical literature on dynamic fluoroscopic and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging assessment of cervical spine stability in obtunded patients who sustained blunt trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The English-language literature within the Swetswise and Medline databases was searched for articles describing dynamic fluoroscopic or MR imaging assessment of cervical spine stability in patients who sustained blunt trauma. Patients with fractures or radiographic signs of injury were excluded. The frequencies of purely ligamentous injuries, injuries requiring immobilization, and other clinically important nonligamentous abnormalities were determined. RESULTS: The frequency of isolated cervical ligamentous injuries diagnosed with dynamic fluoroscopy, as reported in the literature, was 0.9% (11 of 1166 patients), whereas the reported frequency of these injuries diagnosed with MR imaging was 22.7% (125 of 550 patients). All injuries diagnosed with dynamic fluoroscopy and 101 (80.8%) of those diagnosed with MR imaging required continued cervical immobilization. Six (60%) of 10 injuries diagnosed with dynamic fluoroscopy and seven (5.6%) of 125 injuries diagnosed with MR imaging required surgical or halo stabilization. Five (2.5%) of the 200 obtunded patients assessed with MR imaging and six (0.5%) of the 1166 obtunded patients evaluated with dynamic fluoroscopy required surgery. CONCLUSION: Review of the current medical literature provided no clear evidence of the superiority of either MR imaging or dynamic fluoroscopy in the diagnosis of unstable ligamentous injury, although other relative advantages of MR imaging indicate that it is preferred for assessing cervical spine stability in obtunded blunt trauma patients.     

Cervical spine injuries in patients 65 years old and older: epidemiologic analysis regarding the effects of age and injury mechanism on distribution, type, and stability of injuries

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to describe types and distribution of cervical spine injuries in elderly patients in regard to causative trauma mechanism and patient age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The distribution and type of 225 cervical spine injuries in 149 consecutive patients 65 years old and older over a 5-year interval were retrospectively assessed. For each patient, initial admission imaging studies were reviewed, and injuries were classified. Trauma mechanism (falls from standing or seated height vs higher energy mechanisms) and initial clinical and neurologic status were recorded. Data were correlated according to patients' age (65-75 years and >75 years) and causative trauma mechanism. RESULTS: Ninety-five (64%) of 149 patients had upper cervical spine injuries. Fifty-nine (40%) of 149 patients had multilevel injuries. Main causes for cervical spine injuries were motor vehicle crashes in "young elderly" (65-75 years old; 36/59, 61%) and falls from standing or seated height in "old elderly" (>75 years old; 36/90, 40%). Fracture patterns at risk for neurologic deterioration were common (>50%), even in the absence of acute myelopathy or radiculopathy. Patients older than 75 years, independent of causative mechanism, and patients who fell from standing height, independent of age, were more likely to have injuries of the upper cervical spine (p = 0.026 and p = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSION: Cervical spine injuries in elderly patients tend to involve more than one level with consistent clinical instability and commonly occur at the atlantoaxial complex. Old elderly patients and patients who fall from standing height are more prone to injuries of the upper cervical spine.     

Cervical spine fractures in ankylosing spondylitis: MR findings

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the MR findings in patients with long-term ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and acute cervical spine fractures. Materials and methods: The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of five patients with AS and acute cervical spine fractures were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of cervical spine instability, spinal cord compression, and epidural hematoma. Results: Spinal fractures were unstable in all five patients. Three patients had neurological symptoms and abnormal signal within the spinal cord. All patients with neurological deficits had epidural hematomas posterior to the dural sac. Conclusion: MRI is useful for assessment of the integrity of intervertebral disks and spinal ligaments and, therefore, of the instability of the spinal fracture. MRI is mandatory in patients with neurological symptoms, especially in those with a symptom-free interval and those with neurological deterioration after established spinal cord injury, when suspicion for epidural hematoma is high. Electronic Publication     

Sonography in a clinical algorithm for early evaluation of 1671 patients with blunt abdominal trauma

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sonography in our algorithm when differentiating patients with blunt abdominal trauma who need immediate surgery from patients who would benefit from further diagnostic workup or who need no treatment. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed abdominal sonography as the primary screening tool in 1671 consecutive patients in our prospective study. Radiologists performed sonography in the trauma room within minutes of the arrival of each patient. Hemodynamic instability in conjunction with positive sonographic findings led to emergency laparotomy. Otherwise, positive sonographic findings warranted additional diagnostic tests. Observing free fluid or organ injury caused us to categorize sonographic findings as positive. RESULTS: Sonography correctly identified all patients requiring emergency laparotomy. No inconclusive laparotomies were performed in this group. The sensitivity of sonography for revealing intraabdominal injury was 88%, the specificity was 100%, and the accuracy was 99%. In 132 patients (8%), abdominal CT was performed. CT revealed relevant posttraumatic abnormalities in 61% of all patients. Four hundred seventy patients with negative sonographic findings were discharged approximately 12 hr after admission; two of these patients (0.4%) were mistakenly discharged. Trauma scores did not influence the efficacy of sonography. CONCLUSION: Our algorithm that uses sonography as the primary diagnostic tool provides accurate, fast, cost-effective, and noninvasive initial management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Our test characteristics were excellent indicators of the need for emergency laparotomy. Sonography also achieves high values in revealing relevant injury. Our algorithm produced medically satisfactory and economically prudent management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma.     

Occult and secondary injuries missed by plain radiography of the cervical spine in blunt trauma patients

Background: Plain radiography does not visualize every cervical spine injury sustained by blunt trauma victims. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and types of injuries missed by plain radiographs of the cervical spine and determine how frequently such radiography fails to detect any cervical spine injury. Methods: Images from all radiographic studies performed on blunt trauma victims presenting to 21 participating institutions were reviewed to compile an exhaustive list of all CSIs sustained by each individual. These injuries were then compared with the injuries detected by plain radiography alone. Patients were classified as having a “sentinel” injury if one or more of their injuries were visible on plain radiographs. Patients were classified as having a radiographically “occult” injury if none of their injuries were visible on plain radiographs. The number and types of injuries missed on plain radiographs were then separately tabulated for the sentinel and occult injury groups. Results: Plain radiographs were completed in 570 of 818 victims of acute cervical spine injury and revealed 702 of 1,056 injuries. Plain films failed to detect 98 occult injuries present in 60 patients (10.5 %), and failed to detect 256 secondary injuries in 510 patients (89.5 %) who had a sentinel injury identified. Plain radiographs failed to reveal 79 of 136 (58.1 %) lateral mass injuries and 67 of 105 (63.8 %) lamina injuries, making these the most frequent sites of missed injury. Conclusions: Plain radiographs frequently fail to reveal injuries to the cervical spine, particularly those involving the lamina and lateral mass. The majority of the missed injuries represent secondary injuries in patients with a sentinel injury identified on these films. However, plain films fail to detect any injury in a minority of injured patients.     

Flexion-extension cervical spine radiography in blunt trauma: A survey of emergency physicians

A survey investigating the use of flexion-extension cervical spine radiography (FE CSR) was distributed to emergency medicine physicians (EMPs). A 20-point survey was mailed to EMPs (N=250) randomly chosen from the membership of the American College of Emergency Physicians in the United States and Canada. One hundred forty-four surveys (58%) were returned. Sixty-six percent of the EMPs were emergency medicine residency-trained, and 38% of the respondents had less than 5 years of clinical experience. Practice settings included emergency departments with an annual volume of >40,000 patients (50%), community-based hospitals (66%), and level I trauma centers (41%). Eighty-seven percent of EMPs obtained FE CSR in 20% of blunt trauma patients with neck complaints. Indications for FE CSR were minimal disruption of cervical contour lines (68%), posterior element interval widening (53%), tenderness (49%), pain (45%), soft tissue swelling (38%), and mechanism of injury (34%). Contraindications to FE CSR were altered mentation (91%), focal neurologic issue (88%), distracting injury (71%), non-English speaker (50%), and young age (defined as <6 years) (29%). With normal FE CSR, 27% would use additional studies: computed tomography (CT) (56%), oblique view (19%); and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (7%). EMPs reported that they did not accompany the patient in 52% of cases. The consultant physician recommended FE CSR in 71% (radiology consultation) and 41% (orthopedic or neurosurgical consultation) of cases, respectively. EMPs used FE CSR in a significant minority of blunt trauma patients along with other radiographic imaging modalities. Reasons for ordering FE CSR more often included radiographic abnormalities rather than historical or examination findings. Consultants frequently recommended their use. FE CSRs were performed most often without physician supervision. Presented in part at the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, New England Regional Meeting, Providence, RI, April 1997; the American College of Emergency Physicians Research Forum, San Francisco, CA, October 1997; and Trauma Tactics, Orlando, FL, April 1998.     

Cervical spine imaging in patients with trauma: determination of fracture risk to optimize use.

PURPOSE: To develop a method to use clinically apparent factors to determine cervical spine fracture risk to guide selection of optimal imaging strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records from 472 patients with trauma (168 with fractures, 304 control patients) who visited the emergency department in 1994 and 1995 were reviewed for 20 potential predictors of cervical spine fracture in this retrospective case-control study. Simple logistic regression was used to determine predictors of cervical spine fracture. Prediction rules were formulated by using multiple logistic regression and recursive partitioning with bootstrap validation. Posttest fracture probabilities were calculated from base prevalence and likelihood ratios derived for predictors by using Bayes theorem. RESULTS: Predictors of cervical spine fracture included severe head injury (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 8.5, 95% CI: 4.0, 17.0), high-energy cause (OR = 11.6, 95% CI: 5.4, 25.0), and focal neurologic deficit (OR = 58, 95% CI: 12, 283). The prediction rule was used to stratify patients into groups with fracture probabilities of 0.04%-19.70%. After adjusting for overfitting, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.87. CONCLUSION: Clinically apparent factors, including cause of injury, associated injuries, and age, can be used to determine the probability of cervical spine fracture. Development of evidence-based imaging guidelines should incorporate knowledge of fracture probability.     

Cervical spine trauma: evaluation by multidetector CT and three-dimensional volume rendering

Multidetector-row computed tomography (CT) offers important advantages over conventional imaging modalities in the evaluation of the post-trauma cervical spine. It allows for faster scanning times, critical for triaging post-trauma patients as well as for eliminating motion artifacts, and allows for thinner collimation and the ability to achieve an isotropic data set which can be reformatted in any plane without loss of spatial resolution. In addition, three-dimensional volume-rendered reconstructions of images obtained using multidetector scanners can provide additional information in defining extent of injury, allowing neurosurgeons to see the fractures in any plane, simulating intraoperative views. 3D multidetector-row CT represents an advance in CT technology and can help ensure rapid, accurate evaluation of cervical spine injuries. Electronic Publication     

Diaphragmatic rupture: a frequently missed injury in blunt thoracoabdominal trauma patients

In the US and Western Europe, trauma is the fourth most common cause of death and the leading cause of death in the population less than 45 years of age [Mullinix and Foley, J Comput Assist Tomogr 28(Suppl 1):S20–S27, 2004]. Diaphragmatic injuries occur in 0.8 to 8% of patients after blunt trauma (Gray H, The muscles of the thorax. Anatomy of the human body. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, 1918) and may be a predictor of severity of injury in the blunt trauma patient [Worthy et al., Radiology 194(3):885–888, 1995]. The clinical diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture (DR) is difficult and is missed in anywhere from 7 to 66% of patients [Cantwell, Radiology 238(2):752–753, 2006]. The accurate diagnosis and prognosis of this pathology depend on a complete knowledge of the clinical and radiological presentation. Computed tomography is the imaging modality of choice in the assessment of patients with clinical or radiographic findings suggestive of DR.     

Thoracolumbar spine fractures in patients who have sustained severe trauma: depiction with multi-detector row CT

PURPOSE: To determine if multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) can replace conventional radiography and be performed alone in severe trauma patients for the depiction of thoracolumbar spine fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive severe trauma patients who underwent conventional radiography of the thoracolumbar spine as well as thoracoabdominal multi-detector row CT were prospectively identified. Conventional radiographs were reviewed independently by three radiologists and two orthopedic surgeons; CT images were reviewed by three radiologists. Reviewers were blinded both to one another's reviews and to the results of initial evaluation. Presence, location, and stability of fractures, as well as quality of reviewed images, were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed to determine sensitivity and interobserver agreement for each procedure, with results of clinical and radiologic follow-up as the standard of reference. The time to perform each examination and the radiation dose involved were evaluated. A resource cost analysis was performed. RESULTS: Sixty-seven fractured vertebrae were diagnosed in 26 patients. Twelve patients had unstable spine fractures. Mean sensitivity and interobserver agreement, respectively, for detection of unstable fractures were 97.2% and 0.951 for multi-detector row CT and 33.3% and 0.368 for conventional radiography. The median times to perform a conventional radiographic and a multi-detector row CT examination, respectively, were 33 and 40 minutes. Effective radiation doses at conventional radiography of the spine and thoracoabdominal multi-detector row CT, respectively, were 6.36 mSv and 19.42 mSv. Multi-detector row CT enabled identification of 146 associated traumatic lesions. The costs of conventional radiography and multi-detector row CT, respectively, were 145 and 880 US dollars per patient. CONCLUSION: Multi-detector row CT is a better examination for depicting spine fractures than conventional radiography. It can replace conventional radiography and be performed alone in patients who have sustained severe trauma.     

Radiographic and clinical predictors of bladder rupture in blunt trauma patients with pelvic fracture

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Bladder rupture is a potentially serious injury in blunt trauma patients. We determined whether location and displacement of pelvic fractures and the degree of hematuria can accurately predict bladder injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective database of 721 blunt trauma pelvic fractures that presented to a single large regional level 1 trauma center between January 1, 1997, and July 15, 2003, was expanded to include data on bladder injury and the initial urinalysis. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine if an association exists between pelvic fracture pattern, degree of hematuria, and bladder injury. A potential clinical prediction rule was then derived using a point system for four independent, significant risk factors identified from the logistic regression results. RESULTS: There were 37 bladder ruptures (5.0%), all of which presented with hematuria >30 red blood cells per high-powered field (RBC/HPF). Pelvic injuries that were independently associated with bladder injury included diastasis of the pubic symphysis >1 cm, RR = 9.8 (95% CI 4.6-20.9), and fracture of the obturator ring with displacement >1 cm RR = 3.2 (95% CI 1.6-6.5). No patient with isolated acetabular fractures sustained bladder injury. A clinical prediction rule was derived, consisting of a single point for each of the significant pelvic injury sites in patients with hematuria >30 RBC/HPF. Patients with a prediction score of 0 had a 2.3% probability of bladder injury, whereas patients with scores of 1 and 2 had probabilities of bladder injury of 9.2% and 43.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with isolated acetabular fractures and patients with <30 RBC/HPF did not sustain bladder injury. In addition to hematuria, specific pelvic injury patterns are associated with bladder rupture. If validated, a clinical prediction rule derived from this data has the potential to guide the care of the blunt trauma patient.