Defining pediatric cervical spine clearance with computed tomography: A prospective observational study by the Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium and Western Trauma Association

The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care 2026 Open access

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Authors: Katie W. Russell, Anastasia M Kahan, Richard S. Eldredge, Kezlyn E. Larsen, Robert A. Swendiman, John W. Rampton, Zachary J. Kastenberg, Hsuan‐Yu Wan, Benjamin E. Padilla, Daniel J. Ostlie, Aaron R. Jensen, Romeo C. Ignacio
+15 more Stephanie D. Chao, Lorraine I Kelley-Quon, Lauren A. Gillory, David M. Notrica, Thomas J. Schroeppel, Mauricio A. Escobar, Kyle J. Leneweaver, Regan F. Williams, Meera Kotagal, Brian K. Yorkgitis, Rajiv R. Iyer, Douglas L. Brockmeyer, Vijay M. Ravindra, Kenji Inaba, and the Western Pediatric Cervical Spine Study Group, Salt Lake City, UT
DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000005120
Cited by: 1
References: 43

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The optimal imaging strategy for pediatric cervical spine clearance remains controversial. The primary objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity of computed tomography (CT) in detecting clinically significant cervical spine injury in children. We hypothesized that CT is sufficiently sensitive to allow for definitive clearance of the pediatric cervical spine after blunt trauma. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multicenter, observational study from March 1, 2022, to July 31, 2025, at 72 diverse adult, mixed, and pediatric trauma centers across the United States. All children

Fields of Study & Subjects

Spinal Fractures and Fixation Techniques Cervical and Thoracic Myelopathy Spinal Cord Injury Research

Publication details

Journal / source
The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Volume
101
Issue
5
Pages
844-857
Publication date
17 August 2026
Language
EN