Saud Al-Sarheed1,2,3, Jawaher Alwatban4, Ali Alkhaibary5,6,7, Yaser Babgi8, Waleed Al-Mohamadi9, Emad M Masuadi10, Ibrahim Al Babtain11, Moutasem Azzubi12. 1. College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2. King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 3. Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 4. College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 5. College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. AlkhaibaryA@hotmail.com. 6. King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. AlkhaibaryA@hotmail.com. 7. Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. AlkhaibaryA@hotmail.com. 8. Department of Neurosurgery, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 9. Department of Neurosurgery, Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 10. Research Unit, College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 11. Department of Surgery, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 12. Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To radiographically assess cervical spine clearance in unconscious pediatric trauma patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to review pediatric patients with suspected cervical spinal injuries between 2005 and 2018 at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All pediatric patients aged 15 years and less, who sustained trauma (motor vehicle accident, pedestrian, fall, all-terrain vehicle accident, and sports injures) and were intubated at the scene or in the emergency department, were included. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients were included. The average age for children was 8 ± 3.9 years. The average Glasgow coma scale (GCS) for children at initial trauma was 7.6 + 3.7. The average injury severity score (ISS) was 24.1 + 17.7. The most frequent abnormal finding identified on CT scan was cervical spine straightening (N = 8; 13.1%). A total of 13 children had abnormal MRI findings, with the most common injury being ligamentous in nature (N = 13; 46.42%). The sensitivity and specificity of CT scan in cervical spine clearance in unconscious children are 84.8% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Utilizing CT scans in clearing the cervical spine is of paramount importance to promptly detect possible injuries. The role of MRI in cervical spine clearance still cannot be undervalued, especially when the clinical suspicion for injury is high.
PURPOSE: To radiographically assess cervical spine clearance in unconscious pediatric traumapatients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to review pediatricpatients with suspected cervical spinal injuries between 2005 and 2018 at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All pediatricpatients aged 15 years and less, who sustained trauma (motor vehicle accident, pedestrian, fall, all-terrain vehicle accident, and sports injures) and were intubated at the scene or in the emergency department, were included. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients were included. The average age for children was 8 ± 3.9 years. The average Glasgow coma scale (GCS) for children at initial trauma was 7.6 + 3.7. The average injury severity score (ISS) was 24.1 + 17.7. The most frequent abnormal finding identified on CT scan was cervical spine straightening (N = 8; 13.1%). A total of 13 children had abnormal MRI findings, with the most common injury being ligamentous in nature (N = 13; 46.42%). The sensitivity and specificity of CT scan in cervical spine clearance in unconscious children are 84.8% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Utilizing CT scans in clearing the cervical spine is of paramount importance to promptly detect possible injuries. The role of MRI in cervical spine clearance still cannot be undervalued, especially when the clinical suspicion for injury is high.
Authors: David Qualls; Jeffrey R Leonard; Martin Keller; Jose Pineda; Julie C Leonard Journal: J Trauma Acute Care Surg Date: 2015-06 Impact factor: 3.313
Authors: Richard C E Anderson; Peter Kan; Monique Vanaman; Jeanne Rubsam; Kristine W Hansen; Eric R Scaife; Douglas L Brockmeyer Journal: J Neurosurg Pediatr Date: 2010-03 Impact factor: 2.375