RT Book, Section A1 Nelson, Michael E. A2 Sherman, Scott C. SR Print(0) ID 1154631533 T1 Cervical Spine Trauma T2 Simon's Emergency Orthopedics, 8e YR 2019 FD 2019 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781259860829 LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1154631533 RD 2024/10/05 AB The prompt diagnosis of a cervical spine (C-spine) injury is imperative to provide early treatment and prevent secondary spinal cord injury. Since 2010, motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) account for the majority of spinal cord injuries (38%), followed by falls (30.5%), acts of violence (i.e., gunshot wounds, 13.5%), and sporting injuries (9%).1 Cervical spine injuries are found in 2% to 4% of blunt trauma patients that undergo imaging.2,3 The cervical spine is the most common location in the spine to be injured, accounting for upward of 50% to 60% of spinal injuries.1,4 Unfortunately, a delay in diagnosis occurs in one-quarter of cases. Spinal cord injuries lead to significant reductions in life expectancy as well as high individual lifetime costs for care, ranging from $2.1 to $4.7 million based on age at the time of injury.1