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Review
. 2015 May;33(2):241-82.
doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2014.12.002. Epub 2015 Mar 14.

Emergency department evaluation and treatment of cervical spine injuries

Rajdeep Kanwar  1 , Bronson E Delasobera  2 , Korin Hudson  3 , William Frohna  4
Affiliations
Review

Emergency department evaluation and treatment of cervical spine injuries

Rajdeep Kanwar et al. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2015 May.

Abstract

Most spinal cord injuries involve the cervical spine, highlighting the importance of recognition and proper management by emergency physicians. Initial cervical spine injury management should follow the ABCDE (airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure) procedure detailed by Advanced Trauma Life Support. NEXUS (National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study) criteria and Canadian C-spine Rule are clinical decision-making tools providing guidelines of when to obtain imaging. Computed tomography scans are the preferred initial imaging modality. Consider administering intravenous methylprednisolone after discussion with the neurosurgical consultant in patients who present with spinal cord injuries within 8 hours.

Keywords: Cervical spine; Cooling; Corticosteroid use; Emergency department; Neurologic injury; Spinal cord.

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