Cervical injury (peds): Difference between revisions

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{{Peds top}} [[cervical spine injury]]
==Background==
==Background==
C-spine injury uncommon in children but large head in age <8 creates system for upper cervical injury. Injuries most feared include atlanto-occipital dislocation(AOD) and atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation or fixation (AARF).  
*C-spine injury uncommon in children but large head in age <8 creates system for upper cervical injury
*Injuries most feared include [[atlanto-occipital dissociation]] (AOD) and atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation or fixation (AARF).  
 
===SCIWORA===
*Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality
*Exam findings of myelopathy without abnormalities on XR or CT


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
*Blunt trauma in pediatric population.
*[[blunt neck trauma|Blunt trauma]] in pediatric population.
*AARF- may occur spontaneously or in trauma- exam shows head rotated, tilted or unable to turn past midline
*AARF- may occur spontaneously or in trauma- exam shows head rotated, tilted or unable to turn past midline
*AOD- can be devastating injury or even fatal
*AOD- can be devastating injury or even fatal


==C-Spine Clearance Without Imaging==
==Differential Diagnosis==
===>3 years old===
{{Cervical spine injuries}}
*alert
 
==Evaluation==
[[File:Pediatric cspine.png|thumb|Algorithm for the evaluation of pediatric cervical spine injuries]]
===C-Spine Clearance Without Imaging===
====<3 years old====
*[[GCS (Peds)|GCS]]>13
*no neurological deficit
*no neurological deficit
*no midline cervical ttp
*no midline cervical tenderness to palpation
*no painful distracting injury
*no painful distracting injury
*no unexplained hypotension
*no unexplained hypotension
*not intoxicated
*not intoxicated
*mechanism-image if: MVC, fall >10 feet, non-accidental trauma known or suspected


===<3 years old===
====>3 years old====
*[[GCS (Peds)|GCS]]>13
*alert
*no neurological deficit
*no neurological deficit
*no midline cervical ttp
*no midline cervical ttp
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*no unexplained hypotension
*no unexplained hypotension
*not intoxicated
*not intoxicated
*mechanism-image if: MVC, fall >10 feet, non-accidental trauma known or suspected
==SCIWORA==
*Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality
*Exam findings of myelopathy without abnormalities on XR or CT


==Diagnosis==
===Imaging===
*No imaging if above criteria met based upon age.
''No imaging if above criteria met based upon age''
*CT c-spine for concern of Atlanto-occipital dislocation(AOD) or atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation or fixation (AARF)  
*CT c-spine for concern of Atlanto-occipital dislocation(AOD) or atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation or fixation (AARF)  
#AOD- CT to look for condyle-C1 interval (CCI)
#AOD- CT to look for condyle-C1 interval (CCI)
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*American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons in 2013.
*American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons in 2013.


[[Category:Peds]]
[[Category:Pediatrics]]
[[Category:Trauma]]
[[Category:Trauma]]
[[Category:Neuro]]
[[Category:Neurology]]

Latest revision as of 22:52, 28 November 2019

This page is for pediatric patients. For adult patients, see: cervical spine injury

Background

  • C-spine injury uncommon in children but large head in age <8 creates system for upper cervical injury
  • Injuries most feared include atlanto-occipital dissociation (AOD) and atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation or fixation (AARF).

SCIWORA

  • Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality
  • Exam findings of myelopathy without abnormalities on XR or CT

Clinical Features

  • Blunt trauma in pediatric population.
  • AARF- may occur spontaneously or in trauma- exam shows head rotated, tilted or unable to turn past midline
  • AOD- can be devastating injury or even fatal

Differential Diagnosis

Vertebral fractures and dislocations types

Vertebral anatomy.
Numbering order of vertebrae.

Evaluation

Algorithm for the evaluation of pediatric cervical spine injuries

C-Spine Clearance Without Imaging

<3 years old

  • GCS>13
  • no neurological deficit
  • no midline cervical tenderness to palpation
  • no painful distracting injury
  • no unexplained hypotension
  • not intoxicated
  • mechanism-image if: MVC, fall >10 feet, non-accidental trauma known or suspected

>3 years old

  • alert
  • no neurological deficit
  • no midline cervical ttp
  • no painful distracting injury
  • no unexplained hypotension
  • not intoxicated

Imaging

No imaging if above criteria met based upon age

  • CT c-spine for concern of Atlanto-occipital dislocation(AOD) or atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation or fixation (AARF)
  1. AOD- CT to look for condyle-C1 interval (CCI)
  2. AARF- C1-C2 motion analysis to characterize injury(3 position CT)
  3. Plain films otherwise acceptable
  • SCIWORA- full spinal column radiographic imaging
    • MRI of suspected area of spinal damage
    • Assess spinal stability acutely and in follow-up with flex/ex films

Management

  • Immobilization must account for relatively larger occiput using occipital recess or thoracic elevation to maintain c-spine neutrality.
  • Neurosurgery consult for abnormalities

See Also

General/Adult

Pediatric

References

  • EB Medicine- EM Practice Guideline Update- Sept 2014- Updated Guidelines For Management Of Acute Cervical Spine And Spinal Cord Injury In Pediatric Patients
  • American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons in 2013.