RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Utility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Detecting Unstable Cervical Spine Injuries in the Neurologically Intact Traumatized Patient Following Negative Computed Tomography Imaging
JF International Journal of Spine Surgery
JO Int J Spine Surg
FD International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery
SP 901
OP 907
DO 10.14444/7138
VO 14
IS 6
A1 FENNESSY, JACOB
A1 WICK, JOSEPH
A1 SCOTT, FIONA
A1 ROBERTO, ROLANDO
A1 JAVIDAN, YASHAR
A1 KLINEBERG, ERIC
YR 2020
UL https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/14/6/901.abstract
AB Background: Neurologically intact blunt trauma patients with persistent neck pain and negative computed tomography (CT) imaging frequently undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluation of occult cervical spine injury. There is a paucity of data to support or refute this practice. This study was therefore performed to evaluate the utility of cervical spine MRI in neurologically intact blunt trauma patients with negative CT imaging.Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all neurologically intact blunt trauma patients presenting to a level 1 trauma center from 2005 to 2015 with persistent neck pain and negative CT imaging. The proportion of patients with positive MRI findings, subsequent treatment, and time required to obtain MRI results was evaluated.Results: Of 223 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 11 had positive MRI findings; however, no patients were found to have unstable injuries requiring surgical treatment. The process for a complete evaluation of unstable cervical spine injury from the time of obtaining a CT scan was 19 hours and 43 minutes.Conclusions: Eleven patients had positive MRI findings, yet these findings did not alter treatment. In contrast, the time required to obtain MRI results may substantially delay patient care.Level of Evidence: IV (retrospective case series)Clinical Relevance: Our results demonstrate that MRI has limited utility in neurologically intact blunt trauma patients with negative CT imaging.