Omar Adib, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Emeline Noizet, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Didier Loisel MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christophe Aube MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Speaker, Bayer AG Support, General Electric Company

- Cervical spine injuries in children are usually seen in the upper cervical region owing to its unique biomechanics and anatomy. - Knowledge of the normal development and radiographic features of the pediatric cervical spine can aid in the correct interpretation of plain radiograph in the setting of trauma - Emergency radiologic analysis of the pediatric cervical spine can be challenging because of wide range of normal anatomic variants and changes that occur with the maturation or ossification process - Interpretation of a post-traumatic plain radiograph of cervical spine must be based on age of children, localisation and mechanism of the trauma

- Several normal anatomic variants and synchondroses may be encountered on a standard cervical in children - Knowledge of the normal embryologic development and anatomy of the cervical spine is important to avoid mistaking synchondroses for fractures in the setting of trauma - Variants include, in general, pseudosubluxation C2-C3, absence of cervical lordosis, wedging of C3 vertebra, widening of the predental space and the prevertebral soft-tissue - This atlas provides the main signs to aid in the correct interpretation of radiographs

http://abstract.rsna.org/uploads/2014/14000324/14000324_fj1h.pdf

Adib, O, Noizet, E, Loisel, D, Aube, C, Pediatric Cervical Spine in Emergency: Radiographic Atlas of Normal Anatomy, Variants and Pitfalls.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14000324.html