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Pediatric Cervical Spine Trauma: A Narrative Review
Justin K Zhang1, Natasha Hongsermeier-Graves, Boris Savic
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT.
Clinical Spine Surgery
|October 31, 2024
Summary
Pediatric cervical spine trauma requires early diagnosis and understanding of unique anatomy for effective management. Standardized protocols aid in treatment decisions for these injuries, which affect 1-2% of pediatric trauma cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Neurosurgery
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Pediatric cervical spine trauma can lead to severe morbidity, mortality, and neurological deficits.
- Unique anatomical characteristics of the developing pediatric cervical spine increase susceptibility to injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present an updated review of pediatric cervical spine trauma.
- To highlight key aspects of diagnosis and management in children.
Main Methods:
- A narrative review of the literature.
- Searches conducted in PubMed and EMBASE databases for pediatric cervical spine trauma.
Main Results:
- Pediatric cervical spine injuries account for 1-2% of all pediatric trauma cases.
- Motor vehicle collisions are the primary cause, with sports injuries more prevalent in older children.
- Anatomical factors like larger head-to-body ratio predispose younger children to higher cervical spine injuries.
- Standardized protocols and classification systems (e.g., Pediatric Cervical Spine Clearance Working Group, AO Spine) are crucial for triage and management decisions.
- Surgical principles are similar to adults, with modern techniques achieving high fusion rates.
Conclusions:
- Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective management of pediatric cervical spine injuries.
- A comprehensive understanding of pediatric spinal anatomy is critical.
- A versatile surgical armamentarium is necessary for optimal treatment outcomes.
