%0 Journal Article
%T Diagnosis of cervical spine injuries in children: a systematic review
%J European journal of trauma and emergency surgery
%D 2013
%A Schöneberg, C.
%A Schweiger, B.
%A Hussmann, B.
%A Kauther, M. D.
%A Lendemans, S.
%A Waydhas, C.
%V 39
%N 6
%P 653-665
%X OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review was to discuss current knowledge of the diagnostic management of cervical spine (c-spine) injuries in children. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<p /><p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group
%@ 1863-9933
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00068-013-0295-1