Radiographic evaluation of cervical spine injuries

This study involves an evaluation of specific radiologic patterns of various cervical spine injuries on plain radiographs in order to determine a rational approach for further radiologic investigation and resultant treatment. We retrospectively reviewed 236 patients with 319 cervical spine injuries. Fractures included 50 of the dens, 21 hangman, 4 Jefferson, 29 burst, 24 compression, 32 corner/teardrop, 65 facet, 24 lamina, and nine pedicle. Dislocations included one occipitoatlantal, two atlantoaxial rotatory, and 28 facet. Pleuridirectional tomography performed in 137 cases and computerized tomography was performed in 26. The cases were divided into three groups according to the significance of their radiographic findings: Group I: no additional information was added by the additional radiographic studies compared to the plain radiographs. Group II: the additional radiographic studies changed the extent or type of injuries seen on the plain radiographs. Group III: plain radiographs were negative. The abnormalities were only found on the additional radiographic studies. Results of 137 patients undergoing tomography: 62 were in group I, 64 were in group II, and 11 were in group III. Of the 26 patients undergoing computerized tomography, 13 were in group I, 13 were in group II, and no patients were in group III. Specific fracture types were reviewed according to the distribution of the three groups. We concluded that pleuridirectional tomography appears to be particularly advantageous in patients with injuries involving the facets. Computerized tomography appears to add the most additional information in patients with laminar and posterior element fractures and C1 fractures. We feel that timely and accurate diagnosis of cervical spine injuries is essential.