Template:Neck trauma - choice of modality
- Choice of investigation
In trauma, a normal clinical evaluation may clear the neck without diagnostic imaging, but when indicated, recommendations differ somewhat between children and adults:
- In children, CT of the neck in trauma is indicated in more severe cases such as neurologic deficits, whereas X-ray of the cervical spine is preferable in milder cases, by both US[1] and UK[2] guidelines. Swedish guidelines recommend CT rather than X-ray in all children over the age of 5.[3]
- In adults, UK guidelines are largely similar as in children.[2] US guidelines, on the other hand, recommend CT of the neck in all cases where medical imaging is indicated, and that X-ray of the cervical spine is only acceptable where CT is not readily available.[4]
