Three-dimensional computed tomography in acute cervical spine trauma: a preliminary report.

Numerically integrated, three dimensional images obtained from axial computed tomography (CT) data are vastly superior to mentally-integrated, individual, multiplanar CT images for the evaluation and diagnosis of acute cervical spine injury. This superiority results primarily from the visual display of spatial relationships. In addition, three-dimensional CT is capable of detecting injuries not found by conventional radiography or by multiplanar computed tomography (MPCT). The purpose of this preliminary report of four specially selected cases is to illustrate the superiority of three-dimensional CT over other imaging modalities (including MPCT) for the demonstration of cervical spine injuries.