Version August 2025
C-spine: cervical spine; CT: computed tomography; GCS: Glasgow Coma Score.
* Stronger consideration for imaging should be given towards patients with the following mechanisms of injury (MOI): diving, axial load, clothes-lining and high-risk MVC (HR-MVC), however the literature findings are controversial. HR-MVC is defined as a head-on collision, rollover, ejected from the vehicle, death in the same crash, or speed >55 mph.
¶ Substantial injury is defined as an observable injury that is life-threatening, warrants surgical intervention, or warrants inpatient observation.
Δ All imaging should be read by an attending physician.
◊ Adequate flexion/extension is defined as ≥30 degrees of flexion and ≥30 degrees of extension.
§ Patient has achieved GSC 14 to 15 and no longer presents with abnormal head posture, persistent neck pain, or difficulty in neck movement.