Timothy P Plackett1, Franklin Wright2, Anthony J Baldea2, Michael J Mosier2, Casey Thomas2, Fred A Luchette2, Hieu H Ton-That2, Thomas J Esposito2. 1. Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, & Burns, Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 S. First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153, USA. Electronic address: tplacke78@gmail.com. 2. Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, & Burns, Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 S. First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The role of cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of clinically unevaluable blunt trauma patients has been called into question by several recent studies. METHODS: A PubMed search was performed for all studies comparing computed tomography and MRI in the assessment of the cervical spine in patients who cannot be evaluated clinically. The radiologic findings and clinical outcomes from each study were collated for analysis. RESULTS: Data for 1,714 patients were available. All patients had a negative computed tomography scan and then underwent an MRI. There were 271 (15.8%) patients who had a previously undocumented finding on MRI with the majority (98.2%) being a ligamentous injury. Only 5 injuries (1.8%) resulted in surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: MRI identifies additional injuries; however, the vast majority are of minor clinical significance. Routine MRI after a negative computed tomography of the cervical spine is not supported by the current literature. Published by Elsevier Inc.
BACKGROUND: The role of cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of clinically unevaluable blunt traumapatients has been called into question by several recent studies. METHODS: A PubMed search was performed for all studies comparing computed tomography and MRI in the assessment of the cervical spine in patients who cannot be evaluated clinically. The radiologic findings and clinical outcomes from each study were collated for analysis. RESULTS: Data for 1,714 patients were available. All patients had a negative computed tomography scan and then underwent an MRI. There were 271 (15.8%) patients who had a previously undocumented finding on MRI with the majority (98.2%) being a ligamentous injury. Only 5 injuries (1.8%) resulted in surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: MRI identifies additional injuries; however, the vast majority are of minor clinical significance. Routine MRI after a negative computed tomography of the cervical spine is not supported by the current literature. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cervical spine; Computed tomography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Obtunded
Authors: Antônio L Cunha; Ana P S Champs; Carla M Mello; Mônica M M Navarro; Frederico J C Godinho; Cássia M B Carvalho; Teresa C A Ferrari Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-05-31 Impact factor: 4.379