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Clearing the cervical spine is the process by which medical professionals determine whether cervical spine injuries exist, mainly regarding cervical fracture. It is generally performed in cases of major trauma. This process can take place in the emergency department or in the field by appropriately trained EMS personnel.
In CT myelography, spinal tap is performed in the low back with dye injected into the spinal fluid. X-rays are performed followed by a CT scan of the spine to help see narrowing of the spinal canal. This is a very effective study in cases of lateral recess stenosis.
The spinal cord is the most complex yet organized part of the CNS. The entire spinal structure may be divided into 4 sections that create an overall S-shaped curve. These sections include the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions. Intervertebral discs stacked on top of one another make up the structure of the overall spine. These discs ...
Historically the procedure involved the injection of a radiocontrast agent into the cervical or lumbar spine, followed by several X-ray projections. Today, myelography has largely been replaced by the use of MRI scans , although the technique is still sometimes used under certain circumstances – though now usually in conjunction with CT ...
A radiographic evaluation using an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI can determine if there is damage to the spinal column and where it is located. [10] X-rays are commonly available [ 89 ] and can detect instability or misalignment of the spinal column, but do not give very detailed images and can miss injuries to the spinal cord or displacement of ...
[19] [20] MRI is useful to diagnose cervical spondylotic myelopathy (degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with associated damage to the spinal cord). [21] The finding of degeneration of the cervical spinal cord on MRI can be ominous; the condition is called myelomalacia or cord degeneration. It is seen as an increased signal on the MRI.
Upright magnetic resonance imaging, supine magnetic resonance imaging, CT scan, and flexion and extension x-rays may also be used but are far less accurate and have a much higher potential for false negatives. The measurements to diagnose craniocervical instability are: Clivo-Axial Angle equal or less than 135 degrees
CT scan showing fused cervical vertebrae and Sprengel's deformity (arrow), as seen in Klippel–Feil syndrome. KFS is associated with many other abnormalities of the body, hence thorough evaluation of all patients with fused cervical vertebrae at birth is required.