Accuracy of standard radiographic views in detecting cervical spine fractures

✍ Scribed by David R. Streitwieser; Robert Knopp; Lee R. Wales; Justin L. Williams; Kent Tonnemacher

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1983
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 414 KB
• Volume: 12
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1097-6760
• DOI: 10.1016/s0196-0644(83)80293-5

✦ Synopsis

Recent studies have challenged the accuracy of standard radiographs for detecting cervical spine injuries. We used thin-section tomography to determine the accuracy of the cross-table lateral view (CTLV) alone, and the three standard emergency department views (CTLV, anteroposterior, and openmouth) together, for detecting acute cervical spine fractures. Seventy-one patients with blunt cervical spine injuries had thin-section tomography performed for the following indications: .fracture, dislocation, or suspicious findings on standard radiographs; or persistent severe pain or neurologic deficit. Tomography detected acute fractures in 44 of the 7I patients. The CTLV had a sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 70%, and accuracy of 77% for detecting patients with fractures. The three standard views had a corresponding sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 93%, 7•%, and 84%, respectively. Eight patients with fractures had the CTLV interpreted as normal, and three patients with fractures had all three standard views interpreted as normal. The use of thin-section tomography is recommended when there are suspicious radiographic or clinical findings suggesting a severe cervical spine injury.