J Trauma
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The purpose of this study was to determine the adequacy and accuracy of lateral cervical spine radiographs in the initial evaluation of alert, high-risk trauma patients evaluated at a Level I trauma center. ⋯ The higher accuracy and lower negative predictive probability make the absence of cervical symptoms in the alert, high-risk, blunt trauma patient a better screening test than lateral cervical spine radiography. We suggest that lateral cervical spine radiography is not needed in the initial evaluation of alert patients who have sustained blunt trauma.
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To determine if the quantity of skeletal injuries (and the timing to fixation) increases the mortality or pulmonary morbidity in patients with and without chest injuries. ⋯ The combination of skeletal and chest injuries does not seem to amplify the pulmonary morbidity and mortality compared with chest injury alone. The quantity of the skeletal injury and the time to fixation of structures affecting mobilization seem to have an effect on pulmonary morbidity and mortality. Better scientific studies on the effects of skeletal injury and timing to fixation in relation to pulmonary morbidity and mortality are required.