Yield of computed tomography of the cervical spine in cases of simple assault.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) of the cervical spine (C-spine) is routinely ordered for low-impact, non-penetrating or "simple" assault at our institution and others. Common clinical decision tools for C-spine imaging in the setting of trauma include the National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS) and the Canadian Cervical Spine Rule for Radiography (CCR). While NEXUS and CCR have served to decrease the amount of unnecessary imaging of the C-spine, overutilization of CT is still of concern.

Utility of computed tomographic imaging of the cervical spine in trauma evaluation of ground-level fall.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) of the cervical spine (C-spine) is routinely ordered for low-risk mechanisms of injury, including ground-level fall. Two commonly used clinical decision rules (CDRs) to guide C-spine imaging in trauma are the National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS) and the Canadian Cervical Spine Rule for Radiography (CCR).

Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study of 3,753 consecutive adult patients presenting to an urban Level I emergency department who received C-spine CT scans were obtained over a 6-month period.