Bertil Leidner MD, Per Grane MD, Department of Neuroradiology, Karolinska Hospital, Sweden.

Purpose: We compared a helical CT-examination to a conventional x-ray examination concerning time efficiency and diagnostic accuracy in imaging of cervical spine injury.

Material and Methods: 24 patients were examined with both conventional x-ray and helical CT scanning including the whole cervical spine. The conventional exam was made bedside with 5 views (odontoid, frontal, lateral, 2 oblique). Helical CT data: 16 cm FoV, 100 mA, bone algorithm, 150 mm long helix, 150 tube rotations and 150 reconstructed 1 mm thick slices.

Results: The time to complete the conventional x-ray exam in bed is equal to the time for the CT-examination including patient transfer time. Since the patient often is in the CT-scanner for another examination (i.e. the head), the relative time for the cervical CT-examination is less. Helical CT evaluation is more time consuming for the doctor than reading plain radiographs.

The diagnostic quality is higher for the CT exam concerning the C1-2- and C7-Th1- region, and equal to plain radiography concerning the C3-6 area, but our material is to small to allow a definite conclusion.

Conclusion: Helical CT saves time and may offer a higher diagnostic quality compared to conventional x-ray examination in imaging of cervical spine injury.