Journal of Trauma and Injury

The Korean Society of Traumatology (대한외상학회)
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Predictive Factors for MDCT as a Primary Survey in Traumatic Cervical Spine Injury

외상환자에 있어서 일차조사로서 경추부 전산화 단층 촬영의 예측인자

  • Pak, Guen-E. (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University) ;
  • Han, Chul (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University) ;
  • Cho, Young-Duck (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University) ;
  • Kim, Jung-Youn (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University) ;
  • Yoon, Young-Hoon (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University) ;
  • Lee, Sung-Woo (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University) ;
  • Moon, Sung-Woo (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University) ;
  • Choi, Sung-Hyuk (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University)
  • 박경애 (고려대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 한철 (고려대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 조영덕 (고려대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 김정윤 (고려대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 윤영훈 (고려대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 이성우 (고려대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 문성우 (고려대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 최성혁 (고려대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실)
  • Received : 2011.03.15
  • Accepted : 2011.04.29
  • Published : 2011.06.30
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Abstract

Purpose: Missing cervical pathology after injury may lead to disability and influence long-term survival. Controversies continue to evolve concerning the initial screening methods used to predict cervical spine injury. Through a retrospective chart review, we attempted to analyze and propose factors predictive of cervical trauma. Methods: Of all the patients who had visited the Emergency Department of Korea University, from January 2009 to December 2009, a retrospective review of the clinical records of the 217 patients who had undergone cervical spine computed tomography was done. We investigated whether we could predict the need for cervical spine computed tomography shortly after presentation in trauma patients by comparing the group with fractures and group without fractures and by finding risk factors showing significant differences between the two groups that might be used as guides in decision making. Results: Of the 217 subjects who underwent cervical spine computed tomography scans, 33 were identified with fractures of the cervical spine while 184 were not. The most common mechanisms of trauma, in order, for those with fractures were falls, followed by traffic accidents. We found that the injury severity score, multiple injuries, a high-energy injury mechanism, neurologic deficit, and pain and tenderness of the cervical spine showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: Fractures of the cervical spine that are not observed with simple radiography occur with a relatively high frequency in trauma patients. Consideration should be given to the risk factors for cervical spine fracture, and if pertinent, cervical spine computed tomography should be performed with speed for early diagnosis of cervical spine fractures.

Keywords

References

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