Cervical spine injuries

The treatment of cervical spine injuries has advanced at tremendous pace in the last 50 years. With the advent of radiology and an understanding of spine biomechanics, a modern approach to the treatment of spine trauma has developed. The pre-hospital and emergency room management has been refined and there are emerging guidelines available for the assessment and outcome of the spinal-injured patient. Radiological advances have enabled us to visualise the injury to the spinal cord and associated bony injuries leading to new classifications. Spinal surgeons now have an array of treatments available to them to serve those patients who sustain damage to the bony spine. The controversial use of methylprednisolone is discussed, but unfortunately, we still strive for methods of improving neurological function in cases of spinal cord injury resulting in permanent neurological disability. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.