Clearing the Pediatric Cervical Spine

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Management and clinical evaluation of children who present with cervical spine injuries can be challenging, particularly in the pre-verbal child and in the presence of polytrauma. Recent Findings: The successful approach to the pediatric patients’ cervical spine involvement requires the following elements: an understanding of the significance of the problem, basic principles involved the management of pediatric cervical spine, and the role of radiologic studies in this patient population. Summary: This chapter highlights the common characteristics and principles behind cervical spine trauma in children, reviews the available evidence for assessment of these injuries, and focuses on a step-wise approach that can be used in the assessment and clearance of the pediatric cervical spine.