Can we do less? A review of imaging practices for evaluating cervical spine injuries in pediatric blunt trauma patients.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether a validated clinical decision tool or other clinical features at presentation could predict cervical spine injury in a cohort of children who were selected for cervical spine imaging following blunt trauma.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients < 18 years presenting to our institution with blunt trauma who underwent cervical spine imaging over a 3-year period. Relevant data on patients' clinical presentation, imaging, management and outcomes were compiled. The NEXUS screening tool was retroactively applied to all patients. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify independent predictors of CSI.

Results: 1,321 patients presented with blunt trauma, out of which 484 underwent cervical spine imaging and were included in our study. Computerized tomography (CT) scans were conducted in most patients (n = 447, 92.4%). NEXUS risk stratification failed to identify 9 CSIs and had an overall sensitivity of 80.4%. Out of all the possible risk factors we investigated, only chest/torso trauma was found to be significantly associated with CSI on multivariate regression.

Conclusion: We were unable to identify a screening tool or predictive model which could be used to further reduce imaging practices at our institution without missing clinically significant CSIs.