Introduction

Trauma continues to be the leading cause of death in the pediatric population and a major cause of lifelong disability [1][2][3][4]. While motor vehicle collisions are the most common cause of death in children ages one to 18 years, other blunt trauma mechanisms such as falls and sports injuries are also common in the young and all can produce serious injury [5][6]. While cervical spine injuries are not common in the pediatric blunt trauma population, they can be lethal or burden a young child with a long life of significant morbidity. Furthermore, incidents of potential injury are everyday occurrences, thus rendering it challenging for the trauma clinician to decide how extensive a search for such injuries must be undertaken. It is crucial for all trauma care providers to understand the key differences in injury anatomy, imaging and management between children and adults in order to provide the best results possible for our youngest patients.

Content in this topic is referenced in SCORE Neurosurgical Trauma overview