Cervical injury (peds)

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). Guidelines come from American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons in 2013.

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

C-Spine Clearance Without Imaging

>3 years old

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

<3 years old

• GCS>13
• no neurological deficit
• no midline cervical ttp
• no painful distracting injury
• no unexplained hypotension
• 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

• 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

• Head Trauma (Main)
• Concussion
• Skull Fracture
• Maxillofacial Trauma
• C-spine (NEXUS)

Pediatric

• C-spine (peds)
• Abuse (Nonaccidental Trauma)
• GCS (Peds)
• EBQ:PECARN Pediatric Head CT Rule
• Differential diagnosis documentation#Head Trauma

Sources

• EB Medicine- EM Practice Guideline Update- Sept 2014- Updated Guidelines For Management Of Acute Cervical Spine And Spinal Cord Injury In Pediatric Patients