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Current role of lateral cervical spine radiograph: a case report

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Abstract

We report a case showing the classic features of a Hangman’s cervical spine fracture following a motor vehicle collision. Because this injury was not diagnosed at ED presentation, this case also illustrates the select subset of trauma patients for whom the almost obsolete lateral cervical spine radiograph remains an important part of the radiographic trauma series.

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Notes

  1. In a study of unconscious intubated patients, Brohi et al. reported a sensitivity for lateral radiographs of 39.3% for injuries overall and 51.7% for unstable injuries. CT had sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive values of 98.1%, 98.8%, and 99.7%, respectively [6].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Bharti Khurana, Michael Stella & M. Stephen Ledbetter

  2. Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Jonathan D. Gates

  3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Mitchel B. Harris

Authors
  1. Bharti Khurana
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  2. Michael Stella
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  3. M. Stephen Ledbetter
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  4. Jonathan D. Gates
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  5. Mitchel B. Harris
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Correspondence to Bharti Khurana.

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Khurana, B., Stella, M., Ledbetter, M.S. et al. Current role of lateral cervical spine radiograph: a case report. Emerg Radiol 18, 61–63 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-010-0912-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-010-0912-9

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