NEXUS cervical spine rule

Background

• Inclusion criteria is blunt trauma to the cervical spine
• 99.6% sensitive for a clinically important injury (only 12.9% Sp)

Rule

Radiography is Unnecessary if pts satisfy ALL 5 of the following low risk criteria:

1. No midline cervical tenderness
2. No focal neuro deficits
3. Normal alertness
4. No intoxication
5. No painful distracting injury

See Also

• C-Spine X-Ray
• Spinal Cord Trauma

Source

Cervical Spine Injury. EB Medicine April, 2009