Which patients with blunt trauma do not require cervical spine x-rays?

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Which patients with blunt trauma do not require cervical spine x-rays?
Authors:	Brillbart, James
Source:	Journal of Family Practice. Oct2000, Vol. 49 Issue 10, p884-885. 2p.
Subjects:	Cervical vertebrae injuries, Radiography, Medical radiography, Trauma centers, Patients, Wounds & injuries
Abstract:	The article examines the results of a National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS) aimed at identifying blunt trauma patients at low risk for cervical spine injury. Fear of occult cervical spine injury in patients who have experienced blunt trauma compels clinicians to liberally order cervical spine radiographs. Consequently, a high percentage of normal radiographs are obtained at a high monetary cost. The NEXUS was conducted to validate a simple clinical prediction guide used to identify blunt trauma patients at low risk for cervical spine injury. The primary outcomes were the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the clinical prediction guide for the detection of radiographically confirmed cervical spine injury. Of 34,069 patients who underwent cervical spine radiography, 818 (14%) had documented cervical spine injuries. Although the clinical prediction guide failed to identify 8 of these injuries, only 2 were classified as clinically significant.
Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	The article examines the results of a National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS) aimed at identifying blunt trauma patients at low risk for cervical spine injury. Fear of occult cervical spine injury in patients who have experienced blunt trauma compels clinicians to liberally order cervical spine radiographs. Consequently, a high percentage of normal radiographs are obtained at a high monetary cost. The NEXUS was conducted to validate a simple clinical prediction guide used to identify blunt trauma patients at low risk for cervical spine injury. The primary outcomes were the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the clinical prediction guide for the detection of radiographically confirmed cervical spine injury. Of 34,069 patients who underwent cervical spine radiography, 818 (14%) had documented cervical spine injuries. Although the clinical prediction guide failed to identify 8 of these injuries, only 2 were classified as clinically significant.
ISSN:	00943509