Citation

Schöneberg C, Schweiger B, Hussmann B, Kauther MD, Lendemans S, Waydhas C. Eur. J. Trauma Emerg. Surg. 2013; 39(6): 653-665.

Affiliation

Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00068-013-0295-1

PMID

26815551

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review was to discuss current knowledge of the diagnostic management of cervical spine (c-spine) injuries in children.

METHODS: Studies dealing with this topic were collected from the following sources: MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. Where possible, a meta-analysis was performed. Furthermore, the level of evidence for all the included publications was assigned.

RESULTS: The incidence of cervical spine injury (CSI) in children is rare (1.39 %). It seems that the upper c-spine is more often injured in children younger than 8 years of age. When a CSI is expected, immobilization should be performed. The best immobilization is achieved with a combination of a half-spine board, rigid collar, and tape. The literature for thoracic elevation or an occipital recess in children younger than 8 years of age is inhomogeneous. The c-spine in children can be cleared by a combination of the National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS) low-risk criteria and the Canadian C-Spine Rule. Caution is advised for nonverbal and/or unconscious children. In these children, plain radiographs should be performed. If these images are inadequate or show hints for bony injuries, a computed tomography (CT) of the c-spine should be considered. Additional views of the c-spine offer only little information for clearing the c-spine.

Language: en