Normal Cervical Spine……………Artist Sketch Copy

The C-spine is comprised of 7 vertebral bodies. The most common abnormalities detected on the plain film is compression fracture, subluxation with or without spinal cord injury. Although the plain film may be useful as the initial study, the CT scan is the study of choice. We will therefore limit our presentation of the C-T-LS spine plain film since it is beyond the scope of this book.

GENERAL RULE If you are concerned about spine fracture/subluxation with possible spinal cord or nerve injury———-get a CT scan or MRI and neurosurgery consult If neurosurgery/neurology not available at your location, transfer the patient to a higher level care center.