Authors: Jess Lowe, Girish Boggaram / Editors: Jess Lowe, Girish Boggaram / Reviewer: John Wilson / Code: MuC5, MuC8, SLO4, TP2 / Published: 14/03/2021
A 74-year-male presented to the Emergency Department with neck pain. Whilst enjoying a round of golf, slipped backwards down a bank onto some rocks. He subsequently drove home but continued to have severe neck pain exacerbated by movement.
On examination there was marked C-spine tenderness at C4-6, had no focal neurological deficits and had no signs or symptoms of head injury.
Plain X-Rays of the cervical spine were obtained and due to their appearance the patient subsequently underwent a CT scan.
Module Content
Cervical Spine Injury
Cervical spine injuries are rare but potentially devastating. Immobilisation of the cervical spine on the slightest suspicion of injury is recommended by most resuscitation courses.
Non-Traumatic Neck Pain
Referred pain into the upper extremities often accompanies neck pain. Referred pain can be the initial symptom of a compressed nerve root by a ruptured disc or stenosis at the foramina from osteophytes.
C-spine skills
Most patients arrive with c-spine immobilisation, now called "restriction of c-spine movement or ROCSM", in situ. If they haven't, and they need it, there's a few steps to take.
21 Comments
learnt something new.Was good one and CT finding helpful.
Quite a clarifying short clinical case and x-ray interpretation.
Interesting case.
intersting case and chalenging
Interesting case
Interesting case
Good one , thanks
It not always what it looks isn’t it.
Intersting Case new learning
New to me thanks
Interesting thanks
interesting. never heard of the diagnosis before. Thanks
Interesting case, thanks
Very interesting case.Thanks!
informative case
Good learning point
interesting something new
Interesting -c3 does look like a fracture even allowing for DISH
Good case.
interesting
good case, difficult decision