Cervical Spine

Question 1

Standard projections

Answer 1

AP, lateral, sometimes open-mouth AP, swimmer’s lateral to assess lower cervical

Question 2

When shouldn’t radiographs be used

Answer 2

fracture, dislocation, instability if advanced modalities are available

Question 3

CCR

Answer 3

Alert, medically stable

1. High risk factors?
2. Low risk factors that allow safe assessment of ROM?
3. Active L/R rotation 45?

Question 4

CCR sens/spec

Answer 4

Sens = 100%
Spec = 43%

Question 5

NEXUS

Answer 5

• no posterior midline cervical tenderness
• no evidence intoxication
• normal alert/consiousness
• no focal neural deficit
• no painful distracting injury