High-yield radiographic considerations for cervical spine injuries.

A clinical and academic imperative has developed to define high-yield criteria for cervical radiography in the emergency department setting. Presented is a review of key literature, including discussions of epidemiologic and biomechanic considerations; previously derived criteria and their value; and the limitation of the radiograph as a diagnostic tool. We conclude that the identification of truly high-yield criteria will be defined in future prospective, multicenter studies.