Cervical spine clearance when unable to be cleared clinically: a pooled analysis of combined computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

Background The role of cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of clinically unevaluable blunt trauma patients has been called into question by several recent studies. Methods A PubMed search was performed for all studies comparing computed tomography and MRI in the assessment of the cervical spine in patients who cannot be evaluated clinically. The radiologic findings and clinical outcomes from each study were collated for analysis. Results Data for 1,714 patients were available. All patients had a negative computed tomography scan and then underwent an MRI. There were 271 (15.8%) patients who had a previously undocumented finding on MRI with the majority (98.2%) being a ligamentous injury. Only 5 injuries (1.8%) resulted in surgical intervention. Conclusions MRI identifies additional injuries; however, the vast majority are of minor clinical significance. Routine MRI after a negative computed tomography of the cervical spine is not supported by the current literature.