Advances in Imaging the Traumatized Cervical Spine

Imaging the cervical spine in the acute trauma patient continues to spark controversy and debate. Although several organizations have attempted to established guidelines for the evaluation of the cervical spine following blunt trauma, a universally accepted consensus on which imaging modalities should be employed and the timing of their acquisition has not been achieved. This article reviews the current standard of care for the evaluation of the cervical spine following blunt trauma, as well as updating the current controversies surrounding this issue.

Keywords: cervical trauma, cervical imaging, computed tomography, cervical radiographic protocols