TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1988//
TI  - Cervical spine fracture following a motor vehicle accident
JO  - Journal of emergency medicine
A1  - Eckhardt, W. F.
A1  - Doyle, M.
A1  - Woodward, Alistair J.
A1  - Freundlich, I.
A1  - Rockett, F. X.
SP  - 179
EP  - 183
VL  - 6
IS  - 3
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0736-4679
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -