Dear Editors, Cervical collars are necessary to immobilise the cervical spine of patients with multiple trauma (1,2). This devise remains in situ until the radiographic cervical spine clearance is completed (2). A 29-year-old male with multiple trauma and subdural haemorrhage admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) was selected for this case study. The patient had been taken to hospital by em...

Conservative treatment of atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) has tended to be rather passive, since there has been a lack of effective tools. The stabilizing effect of a stiff collar in the treatment of AAS was evaluated. Fifty successive rheumatoid patients with unstable AAS were interviewed and examined clinically. Lateral view radiographs of the cervical spine were taken in neutral position, dur...

INTRODUCTION Research on skill acquisition and retention in the prehospital setting has focused primarily on resuscitation and defibrillation. Investigation into other first aid skills is required in order to validate practices and support training regimes. No studies have investigated competency using an extrication cervical collar for cervical spine immobilization. OBJECTIVE This study was ...

BACKGROUND Cervical extrication collars are applied to millions of blunt trauma victims despite the lack of any evidence that a collar can protect against secondary injuries to the cervical spine. Cadaver studies support that in the presence of a dissociative injury, substantial motion can occur within the occipitocervical spine with collar application or during patient transfers. Little is kno...

Intravenous contrast administration increases the sensitivity of computed tomographic scanning for enlarged cervical lymph nodes but requires a detailed knowledge of neck anatomy, especially in order to distinguish certain normal vessels from involved nodal groups. Along the collar chain, relations between the parotid and submandibular salivary glands and the posterior and anterior facial veins...

Sir,—The article by Nolan and Parr1 depicted in-line cervical stabilization and cricoid pressure during tracheal intubation in the trauma patient (fig. 2). In figure 2, in-line cervical stabilization is demonstrated as if it were a single-handed technique. It is accepted practice, however, to perform this manoeuvre as a double-handed technique (although we are sure this is the effect of the lin...

Controversy exists as to the most effective management option for elderly patients with type II odontoid fractures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate outcomes associated with rigid cervical collar and posterior fusion surgery. Patients with ≥ 50% odontoid displacement were treated with posterior fusion surgery including C1-2 (PSF group, n = 25, average age = 80 years). Patients with < 50...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with collar or physiotherapy compared with a wait and see policy in recent onset cervical radiculopathy. DESIGN Randomised controlled trial. SETTING Neurology outpatient clinics in three Dutch hospitals. PARTICIPANTS 205 patients with symptoms and signs of cervical radiculopathy of less than one month's duration INTERVENTIONS Treatmen...