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Cervical spine injury risk — ABEM Board MCQ

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ModerateTraumaCervical spine injury riskABEM Board

A 48-year-old man presents as triage level 3 after a rear-end MVC with midline neck pain. He is alert, not intoxicated, has no neurologic deficit, and has focal C6 tenderness on palpation. Which of the following is the most appropriate imaging study?

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Correct answer: B — CT cervical spine without contrast

Midline cervical tenderness fails low-risk clearance criteria; CT is the preferred adult cervical spine imaging modality in many ED trauma pathways.

Reference: ACEP trauma imaging guidance; NEXUS/Canadian C-spine evidence