[Unstable spinal injuries in cranio-cerebral injuries]

Estimates of the incidence of injury to the cervical spine among patients suffering blunt trauma to the head vary widely. In an attempt to quantify the risk, the records of 593 consecutive patients with blunt craniocerebral injuries admitted to our trauma center in 1991 were reviewed. The overall incidence of cervical spine injuries was 5.8% and for unstable cervical spine injuries 2.9%. In the management of head trauma with associated cervical spine injuries realignment and immobilization of the spine and surgery of the head were carried out as first step, followed by decompression and stabilization of the affected segment in the same session. In patients with altered consciousness there is always loss of cooperation and early spinal stabilization for optimal treatment in the intensive care unit and in the wake-up-phase is important.