TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2013//
TI  - Diagnosis of cervical spine injuries in children: a systematic review
JO  - European journal of trauma and emergency surgery
A1  - Schöneberg, C.
A1  - Schweiger, B.
A1  - Hussmann, B.
A1  - Kauther, M. D.
A1  - Lendemans, S.
A1  - Waydhas, C.
SP  - 653
EP  - 665
VL  - 39
IS  - 6
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 1863-9933
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00068-013-0295-1
ID  - ref1
ER  -