Title: C-spine Clearance in the mentally altered patient by Ahmed Al Hazmi<br/>Author: Michael Bond<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/78/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><div> <strong>Bottom Line</strong></div> <ul> <li> High-quality CT is adequate for clearing c-collar in obtunded patients.</li> <li> A follow-up exam before discharging the patient strengthens your decision making and documentation.</li> <li> MRI can be reserved for high-risk patients, patients who are being admitted to surgical critical care units, and those who have residual findings once alert.</li> </ul>
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<fieldset><legend>References</legend>
<div> J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2015 Feb;78:430-41. doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000000503.</div> <div> J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016 Dec; 81: 1122–30. doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000001194</div> <div> J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2017 Feb;82:263-9. doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000001322.</div> <div> </div> <p> </p> </fieldset>