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Journal Article

Citation

Eckhardt WF, Doyle M, Woodward A, Freundlich I, Rockett FX. J. Emerg. Med. 1988; 6(3): 179-183.

Affiliation

Department of Anesthesia, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3171116

Abstract

We present the case of a 50-year-old man who visited our emergency department 12 h after an alcohol-related motor vehicle accident complaining of shoulder pain and neck stiffness. Cervical spine radiographs were obtained and interpreted as normal, and the patient was discharged. Subsequent review by a radiologist raised the question of a second cervical vertebra (C-2) abnormality, and the patient was recalled. Cervical computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an unstable oblique fracture of C-2 and a congenital nonfusion of the arch of C-1. The patient was placed in halo traction, and subsequent radiographs revealed a fracture of the transverse process of C-7. The patient made an uneventful recovery. The limitations of routine cervical radiographs are well-documented, but no feasible alternative exists as a screening procedure. Thus, a certain level of uncertainty must be accepted. Both physician and patient must recognize the limitations inherent in all medical practice and that follow-up examination and treatment are essential.


Language: en

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