Plain Film Evaluation of the Cervical Spine
Plain Film Evaluation of the Cervical Spine
Search Pattern Assist ?Exam
Prior Study
Findings
Technique
The craniocervical junction and/or C7-T1 are not entirely included on the exam. [Yes/No]
The exam is over or under penetrated. [Yes/No]
The exam is limited by overlying structures, bones or soft tissues, body habitus, patient positioning, support devices, or motion. [Yes/No]
Prevertebral and paravertebral soft tissues
The soft tissues anterior to C1-C7 are widened or the prevertebral fat stripe is not seen. [Yes/No]
The paravertebral soft tissues are abnormally widened. [Yes/No]
There is calcification, foreign body, abnormal air, or other abnormal density in the prevertebral or paravertebral soft tissues. [Yes/No]
Spinal alignment
The distance between the basion and the posterior axial line is > 12 mm. [Yes/No]
The distance between the basion and the tip of the dens is > 12 mm. [Yes/No]
The atlanto-axial joint distance is > 2 mm on the lateral view. [Yes/No]
The distance between the dens and the lateral masses of C1 is abnormally asymmetrically widened on an odontoid or AP view. [Yes/No]
The lateral mass(es) of C1 abnormally override(s) the articular pillar(s) of C2 on an odontoid or AP view. [Yes/No]
The anterior vertebral body line, posterior vertebral body line, articular pillar line, and/or spinolaminar line is/are abnormal. [Yes/No]
The articular pillars or lateral masses, lamina, or other posterior elements are rotated or displaced into the spinal canal or the interlaminar clear zone of the spinal canal. [Yes/No]
The visualized spinous processes are malaligned on the AP view or distracted on the lateral view. [Yes/No]
There is reversal or straightening of the normal lordosis or abnormal angulation/curvature or motion of the cervical spine on frontal, lateral, flexion and/or extension views. [Yes/No]
Vertebral bodies, posterior elements, and base of skull
There is a fracture or deformity of the base of the skull or occipital condyles. [Yes/No]
There is a fracture or deformity of the anterior or posterior arch of C1. [Yes/No]
There is a fracture or deformity of the lateral mass(es) of C1. [Yes/No]
There is a fracture or deformity of the dens or C2 vertebral body. [Yes/No]
There is a fracture or deformity of the pars interarticularis/articular pillars or other posterior elements of C2. [Yes/No]
There is a fracture or distraction of a C3-T1 vertebral body, transverse or spinous process, or other posterior element. [Yes/No]
There is evidence of an end plate avulsion or other fracture. [Yes/No]
There is displacement of a fracture fragment into the soft tissues, spinal canal, or interlaminar clear zone of the spinal canal. [Yes/No]
There is anterior wedging or compression of a vertebral body or end plate. [Yes/No]
There is evidence of an aggressive disease process manifest as a lytic, sclerotic, or destructive abnormality of a vertebral body, end plate, pedicle, lamina, articular pillar, transverse or spinous process. [Yes/No]
There is focal or diffuse abnormal mineralization. [Yes/No]
Disc spaces and facet joints
There is distraction or focal widening of a disc space. [Yes/No]
There is anterolisthesis, retrolisthesis, subluxation, or rotational abnormality of a disc space. [Yes/No]
There is widening, rotational abnormality, or displacement of facets at any motion segment (e.g. locked or jumped, perched facets, or fracture dislocation). [Yes/No]
There is disc space narrowing with or without erosive or sclerotic changes of the end plates other than from degenerative change. [Yes/No]
There is facet joint narrowing or sclerosis other than from degenerative change. [Yes/No]
Additional soft tissues and bones (neck, airway, upper thorax, ribs)
The included maxillofacial region, thoracic spine, ribs, or other bones of the upper thorax are abnormal. [Yes/No]
There is air or a foreign body or other abnormality in the soft tissues of the lower head, neck or upper thorax. [Yes/No]
There is an apical mass, thickening, pleural cap or effusion, or pneumothorax. [Yes/No]
The airway is narrowed or displaced. [Yes/No]
There are post surgical changes of the bones or soft tissues of the lower head, neck, or upper thorax. [Yes/No]
There is an abnormality or complication of post-surgical hardware. [Yes/No]
There are support lines or tubes in an abnormal position. [Yes/No]
Other findings
There are degenerative changes or other existing conditions that might be contributing to symptoms which can or should be further evaluated non-emergently. [Yes/No]