Rubin B D, Fielding J W
Bull Los Angeles Neurol Soc. 1981;46:36-40.
It is estimated that there will be 5,000 new spinal cord injured patients each year. Prolonged survival has resulted from better understanding of the pathophysiology of cord damage, as well as from the advances in antibiotic and ventilatory therapy. Most well-motivated patients with lesions at or below C5 can attain a level of independence which obviates institutional care. Regional spinal injury centers have done much to increase the survival of and quality of life of cord injured patients. These realities make initial care of patients with acute traumatic lesions of the cervical spine of paramount importance. Neurologic function at both the nerve root and cord levels can be adversely affected by excessive motion of the unstable spine. Early evaluation of X-rays must therefore be carried out in an attempt to determine the stability of the spine.
据估计，每年将有5000名新的脊髓损伤患者。对脊髓损伤病理生理学的更好理解以及抗生素和通气治疗的进展，使得患者生存期延长。大多数积极性较高、损伤部位在C5及以下的患者能够达到一定程度的独立，从而无需机构护理。区域脊髓损伤中心在提高脊髓损伤患者的生存率和生活质量方面发挥了很大作用。这些现实情况使得对颈椎急性创伤性损伤患者的初始护理至关重要。不稳定脊柱的过度活动会对神经根和脊髓水平的神经功能产生不利影响。因此，必须尽早对X线进行评估，以确定脊柱的稳定性。
