CLEARANCE OF CERVICAL-SPINE INJURY IN THE OBTUNDED PATIENT

The need to exclude cervical spine injury ('clearance') in an obtunded patient poses a dilemma. The purpose of this study was to find out th e current practices for tackling this situation around the country. A questionnaire teas sent to all Intensive Care Units who accept injured patients. There is a great diversity in the management and investigat ion of these patients. There is clearly a need for a recognised protoc ol for dealing with this difficult situation. Such a protocol is sugge sted. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.