Occult cervical spine fracture in a wilderness setting

Abstract

Cervical spine fractures can be difficult to diagnose solely upon the patient's symptoms and physical exam. There have been several case reports of trauma patients without any of the signs or symptoms of cervical spine injury who were subsequently found on radiography to have fractures. This article presents a case report of an occult cervical spine fracture occurring in a wilderness setting and discusses the special considerations of managing wilderness trauma patients who may have an occult cervical spine injury. © 1994, Wilderness Medical Society. All rights reserved.