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Canadian C-spine rule
Procedure:
- high-risk factor that mandates imaging
- age >= 65 years or dangerous mechanism*
- paresthesias in extremities
- midline cervival spine tenterness *Dangerous mechanism:
* fall from >= 3 feet or 5 stairs
* axial load to head, i.e. diving
* motor vehicle accident: high speed (> 100 km/hr), rollover or ejection
* motorized recreational vehicle accident
* bicycle crash
* pushed into oncoming traffic
* hit by bus or large truck
* hit by high speed vehicle
* Exclusions of dangerous mechanism
* simple rear-end motor vehicle accident
* delayed onset of neck pain
* ambulatory or sitting
* actively rotates neck 45 degrees to right & to left
Related
cervical spine (C-spine) clearance
NEXUS Criteria
General
numerical rating scale (NRS)
References
- MD+CALC: Canadian C-Spine Rule
http://www.mdcalc.com/canadian-c-spine-rule/
- Stiell IG et al
The Canadian C-Spine Rule versus the NEXUS Low-Risk Criteria
in Patients with Trauma.
N Engl J Med 2003; 349:2510-2518
PMID: 14695411
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa031375