[Cervical Spine and Spinal Cord Injury:Keys for Diagnosis and Treatment]

Spinal cord injuries are not rare in neurosurgical practice. As cervical spine injuries are frequently associated with head injuries, neurosurgeons have critical roles of immediate evaluation and treatment in an emergency room in Japan. It is crucial to make a correct initial diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment for cervical spine injuries because missed injuries or delayed diagnosis might result in unwarranted neurological sequelae. This paper focuses on tips regarding 1)screening for cervical spine injury in head injury patients, 2)diagnosis and treatment of cranio-vertebral junction injuries, and 3)diagnosis and treatment of acute traumatic central cord syndrome because these conditions are most likely encountered by neurosurgery residents and fellows in their practice.