Table 1 Cervical spine instability studies in obtunded/comatose blunt trauma patients with no apparent spinal deficit and negative cervical spine plain radiographs with supplementary CT scans

D'Alise et al. (1999) [19]

Yes

MRI in all patients; flexion/extension radiographs when MRI was negative (83%)

Obtunded

Davis et al. (2001) [13]

Yes

DF in all patients

Coma

Hogan et al. (2005) [20]

No

MRI in all patients

Obtunded

Padayachee et al. (2006) [21]

Yes

MRI in some patients; DF in all patients (adequate in 97%)

Coma