Cervical spine MRI in blunt trauma evaluation after a negative non-contrast cervical spine CT may only be useful in patients with persistent abnormal neurological examination, according to a study in European Radiology.
Here are three things to know:
1. The study authors reviewed the medical records of adult patients who underwent cervical spine CT followed by MRI within 48 hours over a 33-month period.
2. Of the 1,080 patients included in the study analysis, 66 percent who received a cervical spine CT had a negative study.
3. Of those patients, the subsequent cervical spine MRI had positive findings in 20.9 percent of cases: 92.6 percent had stable ligamentous or osseous injuries, 6 percent had unstable injuries and 1.3 percent had potentially unstable injuries.
More articles on imaging:
NJ hospital now offers Mako system for knee replacement surgery
Mazor installs Renaissance system in Georgia-based ASC
Multiple Sclerosis Association of America expands MRI Access Fund: 4 things to know