ADDRESSING THE MYTHS OF CERVICAL-SPINE INJURY MANAGEMENT

Every year in the United States about 5,000 people sustain a cervical spinal cord injury, Vastly greater numbers present to hospitals after motor vehicle crashes and falls with potential cervical spine injuries (CSI) for evaluation, This group of patients requires very careful ma nagement while undergoing evaluation for potential CSI to minimize the potential for spinal cord injury, It is, therefore, incumbent on ever yone caring for these patients to distinguish between fact and fiction in regard to CSI management, This article addresses the following are as of controversy: CSI is a rare injury; patients with cranial and fac ial injuries are at increased risk for CSI; everyone with a significan t mechanism of injury needs radiological clearance of their cervical s pine; a normal cross-table lateral view radiograph excludes significan t CSI; oral intubation of patients with CSI is not safe; a semi rigid collar prevents movement of the cervical spine; and the evaluation of the cervical spine needs to begin in the resuscitation room in every p atient. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.