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. 1995 Sep;196(3):741-5.
doi: 10.1148/radiology.196.3.7644638.

Substantial head trauma: value of routine CT examination of the cervicocranium

T M Link  1 , G Schuierer, A Hufendiek, C Horch, P E Peters
Affiliations

Substantial head trauma: value of routine CT examination of the cervicocranium

T M Link et al. Radiology. 1995 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of routine performance of computed tomography (CT) of the craniocervical junction in unconscious patients with substantial head injury.

Materials and methods: In a prospective study, CT of the head and the cervicocranium was performed in 202 patients with substantial cranial trauma (Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 3-6). Plain radiography was performed in all patients. Radiographs and CT scans were then blindly interpreted.

Results: Twenty-eight patients (13.9%) had C-1 or C-2 fractures; plain radiographs did not demonstrate cervical fractures in 11 of these patients. Nine patients (4.4%) had fractures of the occipital condyles; plain radiographs did not demonstrate occipital condyle fractures in eight of these patients.

Conclusion: Because 5.4% of all patients had fractures of either C-1 or C-2 and 4.0% had occipital condyle fractures not seen at plain radiography, routine additional performance of CT of the craniocervical junction is useful in patients with substantial cranial trauma.

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