Not all patients presenting with neck pain following trauma will require imaging of their cervical spines, and the Emergency Physician should use a structured assessment to assist in identifying patients who require imaging.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) have published guidance on appropriate imaging for practice. [4] These are based on the Canadian Cervical Spine Rules. [3]

Algorithm – Selecting people 16 and over for imaging of the cervical spine. Image from NICE Guideline