TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Trauma and Surgery of the Spine A1 - Wells, Robert G. PY - 2015 T2 - Diagnostic Imaging of Infants and Children AB - About half of vertebral fractures and substantial ligamentous injuries of the spine in children occur in the cervical region. However, serious cervical spine injuries in children are rare. This relates in part to the resilient nature of ligaments and bones in children. In addition, young children are infrequently exposed to high-force injury mechanisms. In infants and young children, child abuse and birth trauma are the most common mechanisms of cervical spine trauma. Birth-related injuries of the spine and spinal cord most often are associated with a traumatic breech delivery. These injuries are usually in the lower cervical or upper thoracic region, and often result from traction forces. Spine injuries suffered during cephalic delivery tend to occur in the upper cervical region, and typically involve rotational forces. In older children and teenagers with spine injuries, common mechanisms include diving, sports injuries, and motor vehicle incidents. The prevalence of pediatric cervical spine injuries increases with age. In older patients, the mid and inferior aspects of the cervical spine are most commonly involved, whereas infants and young children tend to suffer injuries at the C3 level or higher. Because the pediatric spine has greater elasticity than the spinal cord (which is fixed by nerve roots), trauma-related neurological injuries can occur in the absence of fractures or malalignment.1–3 SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1148951010 ER -