Abstract

Background
Simple cervical X-rays often miss cervical spine injuries. Magnetic resonance imaging is valuable in these cases. The aims of this study is to determine high-risk factors of the cervical injuries, and to contribute to make indications of cervical MRI in evaluation of blunt trauma patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the patients who visited our ED due to nuchal pain and examed by simple cervical X-ray and cervical MRI after blunt trauma. We analyzed the incidence of abnormal MRI findings in various patients groups. We also compared the incidence of missed cervical spine injury by level of injured spine. We thought cervical MRI to be goldstandard of this analysis. Results:The incidence of abnormality on cervical MRI is higher in male patients than female patients (p<0.01). Old (age.40) patients frequently shows abnormal cervical MRI findings than young patients (p<0.001). In patients who had neurologic abnormality, the incidence of abnormality on cervical MRI is higher than neurologically normal patients (p<0.001). But, mecha-nisms of injuries and associated injuries are not related to the incidence of abnormality on cervical MRI. Injuries of lower cervical spine (C7) are frequently missed than those of other cervical spines (p<0.01). Conclusion: When evaluate cervical injuries in male, old, and neurologically abnormal patients, we must consider cervical MRI although the simple cervical X-ray is normal. We must pay more attention to lower cervical spine injuries than other cervical spine injuries.

• Keywords: Cervical injury, Magnetic resonance imaging