Cervical spine injuries
Features of cord injury include:
Loss of motor function
Loss of sensation (eg to touch and pain)
Pattern of ventilation - diaphragmatic, loss of phrenic
nerve function as level of injury rises
Hypotension with bradycardia
Loss of signs of peritoneal irritation
Management of Spinal cord injury(1)
- Immobilisation and stabilisation
- Maintain adequate ventilation/oxygenation
- Support circulation (eg with vasopressors)
- Gastric tube
- Urinary catheter
- Temparature preservation
Management of Spinal cord injury(2)
- Steroids
- Investigation of other injuries - signs may be absent
- Monitoring
- CVP
- Urine output
- Temp
St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne. Department of Anaesthesia. ©2003