Radiological Evaluation of C-spine Flashcards
3 main views for C-spine
AP
APOM
Lateral
Swimmer’s lateral projection performed to assess:
Lower cervical segments and CT junction
Most diagnostic view
lateral
Oblique view assesses:
Neural Foramina: indicates radiculopathy
Flexion/Extension stress views assess:
instability
Best modality for viewing C spine Trauma
CT scan
If neurological deficit is detected in C spine what modality should be used?
MRI: can view bony fragments as well as injury to spinal cord, disk, and soft tissue
Two evidence based guidelines established by clinicians to decide whether or not to use radiographs:
- Canadian C-Spine Rule
2. National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study(NEXUS)
Canadian C-Spine Rule requires the patient to be___ and ___
alert and medically stable
What are the 3 main questions of the C-spine rule?
- Any high risk factors that mandate radiography?
- Any low risk factors that allow safe assessment of ROM?
- Is pt. able to rotate neck actively at least 45 degrees L and R?
High risk factors that mandate radiography include?
Age over 65 years, dangerous MOI, parathesia in extremities
Low risk factors that mandate radiography include?
Tenderness over midline of Cspine, pain with normal sitting, DOMS of neck, pt not being ambulatory at time of crach
Canadian C-spine Rule has what sensitivity and specificity?
100% sensitivity and 43% specificity
For NEXUS, radiographs are indicated following trauma unless pt meets all five criteria:
- No post. midline cervical tenderness
- No evidence of intoxication
- Normal level or alertness and consciousness
- No focal neurological deficit
- No painful distracting injuries
Nexus has a specificity of __ and a sensitivity of __
12.9%, 99.6%
Evidence based guidelines point to patient having a radiograph if they meet the following criteria
- Dangerus MOI
- Over 65 years old
- Paresthesia
- Midline Tenderness over spine
- Unable to rotate neck 45 degrees L or R
ACR recommends that if pt meets criteria for CCR or NEXUS then this modality should be used with these 2 views
CT with sagittal and coronal reformatting
ACR recommends that if pt meets criteria for CCR or NEXUS then these two modalities should be used as complementary studies
CT and MRI
This view should be used first if the pt has had a history of trauma but has not be evaluated for trauma yet
Lateral: assess normal cervical alignment with series of parallel vertebral lines
-discontinuity or step offs indicate possible fracture/dislocation
This view is used in severe trauma cases and functions as a preliminary diagnostic screen
Cross-table lateral View
Radiology of C-spine evaluates:
soft tissue, vertebral alignment, joint characteristics
Widening retropharyngeal or retrotracheal spaces should follow these distance rules
6mm at 2 and 22mm at 6
Large IVD height indicates what kind of damage:
anterior tissue damage, rupture of posterior ligament
Small IVD height indicates what kind of problem:
IVD problem such as rupture of disk, extrusion of nuclear material
Loss of parallelism of Cspine indicates:
fracture, dislocation, or severe degenerative changes
Loss of lordosis of C-spine indicates:
muscle spasm in response to underlying injury
Acute Kyphotic angulation of the C spine indicates:
widened interpinous space indicating rupture of post. ligaments
Rotation of the vertebral bodies at the C-spine indicates:
unilateral facet dislocation, hyperextension fractures, muscle spasm, or disk capsular injury
APOM views what the best:
Lateral masses of C1 and the dens of C2
Normal overhang of the lateral masses of C1 over the body of C2 is:
1-2mm; any more is abnormal
A widened ADI indicates:
degeneration, stretching, or rupture of the transverse ligament
Widening of the interspinous process space indicates:
- Fanning
- rupture of interspinous and other posterior ligamanets
Loss of facet joint articulation indicates:
dislocation
Injuries to the spinal cord are broadly classified as ___ and ___
stable and unstable
These injuries are protected from significant bone or joint displacement by intact posterior spinal ligaments: answer stable or unstable
Stable
ex//compression fractures, disk herniations, unilateral facet dislocations
These types of injuries show significant displacement initially or have potential to become displaced with movement: answer stable or unstable
Unstable
ex//bilateral facet dislocations, fracture-dislocations