Penetrating Cervical Spine Injury

Management of penetrating cervical injuries is challenging. The weapon may be withdrawn or may be intact, and its removal may add to neurologic deficit. Immobilization of spine and careful transportation are important. Penetrating cervical spine injuries are most commonly caused by gunshots; penetrating trauma with other objects is relatively rare.[1]

• References

• 1 Baron BJ, Scalea TM. Spinal cord injuries. In: Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS. ed. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed.. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2004. sec 22, chap 256
• 2 Peacock WJ, Shrosbree RD, Key AG. A review of 450 stabwounds of the spinal cord. S Afr Med J 1977; 51 (26) 961-964
• 3 Rubin G, Tallman D, Sagan L, Melgar M. An unusual stab wound of the cervical spinal cord: a case report. Spine 2001; 26 (04) 444-447
• 4 Romanick PC, Smith TK, Kopaniky DR, Oldfield D. Infection about the spine associated with low-velocity-missile injury to the abdomen. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1985; 67 (08) 1195-1201
• 5 Bono CM, Heary RF. Gunshot wounds to the spine. Spine J 2004; 4 (02) 230-240
• 6 Heary RF, Vaccaro AR, Mesa JJ. et al. Steroids and gunshot wounds to the spine. Neurosurgery 1997; 41 (03) 576-583 discussion 583–584
• 7 Thakur RC, Khosla VK, Kak VK. Non-missile penetrating injuries of the spine. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 1991; 113 (03) [phone]
• 8 Simpson Jr RK, Venger BH, Narayan RK. Treatment of acute penetrating injuries of the spine: a retrospective analysis. J Trauma 1989; 29 (01) 42-46
• 9 Karlins NL, Marmolya G, Snow N. Computed tomography for the evaluation of knife impalement injuries: case report. J Trauma 1992; 32 (05) 667-668