Emergency transport and radiographic evaluation following spinal cord injury

Abstract

The prehospital care of patients with spinal cord injury has improved significantly si nee tile founding of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in 1971. Rapid and safe transport of the spinal injury patient allows for early medical stabilization and institution of measures designed to preserve and possibly improve neurologic function. The adoption of systematic imaging protocols and advancements in imaging technology have allowed for early diagnosis of spinal injuries and therefore definitive treatment. Controversy still exists as to the basic imaging requirements needed to exclude the presence of spinal injury or the need for prerecluction magnetic resonance imaging in a patient with a cervical facet dislocation. © 2006 Thomas Land Publishers, Inc.