Seminars in musculoskeletal radiology
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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol · Sep 2013
ReviewImaging of acute cervical spine trauma: when to obtain which modality.
The current knowledge and evidence around the merits of different imaging modalities for the evaluation of cervical spine injuries are reviewed. The National Emergency X-Radiography Use Study, Canadian Cervical Spine rule, and American College of Radiology appropriateness criteria are reviewed and summarized. The advantages and disadvantages of available imaging modalities for selected cervical spine injury patterns are also illuminated to simplify the decision making on when to use which modality.
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Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death in adults < 45 years of age. Musculoskeletal trauma accounts for a substantial number of injuries in patients sustaining polytrauma. The diagnostic work-up of those patients is challenging, complex, and requires a structured and interdisciplinary workflow. ⋯ In this context, CT angiography facilitates the detection of coexisting vascular injuries after trauma of the skeleton. In addition, recent technologies (e.g., dual-energy CT) provide promising applications such as metal artifact reduction. This article summarizes the basic principles of interdisciplinary management of polytrauma patients, reviews recent advances of CT technology that have enabled comprehensive trauma imaging, provides appropriate scan protocols, and discusses the radiologic evaluation of musculoskeletal findings.