Table 4 Reported imaging of the cervical (c)-spine with low-value to patients
From: Characterizing and quantifying low-value diagnostic imaging internationally: a scoping review
Type of imaging | Reason for examination | Outcome | Suggested practice by included study/studies | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
C-spine CT/MRI | Blunt trauma | Identified no fractures in patients with negative clinical examination | Imaging is only required in patients with positive physical examination | |
Near hanging | 1.4% relevant findings | Imaging is only required in patients with positive physical examination | [71] | |
Routine c-spine XR | High-energy trauma | Identified no fractures | XR is only required in patients with positive physical examination | [72] |
Follow-up c-spine XR | Radiculopathy due to a herniated intervertebral disc or an osteophyte | No change in patient management | Intra operative verification is sufficient | [73] |
Spine fusion | No change in patient management | XR is only required in patients with positive physical examination | ||
Anterior cervical discectomy | No patients were reoperated based on imaging | XR patients with clinical deterioration only | [76] | |
C-spine flexion/extension XR | Neck pain | After normal CT—no change in patient management |  | [77] |