Distal cervical spine evaluation using swimmer's flexion-extension radiographs. 1993

J Davidorf, and D Hoyt, and P Rosen
Division of Trauma, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla.

Radiographic evaluation of the cervical spine begins with anteroposterior, lateral, and odontoid views. Unless the junction of C7-T1 can be adequately visualized on the cross-table lateral view, a swimmer's view is often performed. After fractures and subluxations have been excluded with these nonstressed views, spinal stability may be evaluated with stressed view radiographs such as a flexion-extension series. However, there is currently no protocol for evaluating the distal spinal stability in patients in whom traditional flexion-extension radiographs fail to visualize the important distal C7-T1 juncture. The present case study describes a trauma patient suffering from neck pain in whom cervical spine instability was ruled out using a swimmer's flexion-extension technique. Further study of this technique as a supplement to the conventional flexion and extension views in the stressed assessment of the entire cervical spine is recommended.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D011187 Posture The position or physical attitude of the body. Postures
D011859 Radiography Examination of any part of the body for diagnostic purposes by means of X-RAYS or GAMMA RAYS, recording the image on a sensitized surface (such as photographic film). Radiology, Diagnostic X-Ray,Roentgenography,X-Ray, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X-Ray,Diagnostic X-Ray Radiology,X-Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X Ray,Diagnostic X Ray Radiology,Diagnostic X-Rays,Radiology, Diagnostic X Ray,X Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,X Ray, Diagnostic,X-Rays, Diagnostic
D004630 Emergencies Situations or conditions requiring immediate intervention to avoid serious adverse results. Emergency
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D013124 Spinal Injuries Injuries involving the vertebral column. Injuries, Spinal,Injury, Spinal,Spinal Injury

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