1. BROOKLYN 3 STUDENTS Sophie MILLER Bruce READ Fri 30 th Aug 2013 Session 3 / Talk 5 13:58 – 14:12 ABSTRACT Cervical Spine injuries occur in 2-6% of patients admitted to emergency departments suffering from blunt trauma. The serious consequences of these injuries require accurate clinical assessments, early detection and diagnosis using the most appropriate radiographic technology. Research has focussed on developing guidelines to assist emergency departments in the diagnosis of patients for suspected C-spine injuries following blunt trauma. These guidelines are intended to clear patients considered to be low probability of injury and who do not need radiographic assessment and modality choice for those who do.

3. Blunt Cervical Spine Injuries Low incidence Serious consequences Conservative assessments

4. NEXUS low probability criteria No midline cervical tenderness Normal alertness No focal neurological deficit No intoxication No painful distracting injury

5. AP

6. Lateral

7. Odontoid

10. Low risk patients - Planar x-rays. If those images show: inadequate or incomplete information High clinical suspicion of a fracture Supplementary CT is recommended

11. High risk patients - CT imaging