@article{ref1,
title="Cervical spine fracture following a motor vehicle accident",
journal="Journal of emergency medicine",
year="1988",
author="Eckhardt, W. F. and Doyle, M. and Woodward, Alistair J. and Freundlich, I. and Rockett, F. X.",
volume="6",
number="3",
pages="179-183",
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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0736-4679",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}