Cervical spine fractures can be difficult to diagnose solely upon the patient's symptoms and physical exam. There have been several case reports of trauma patients without any of the signs or symptoms of cervical spine injury who were subsequently found on radiography to have fractures. This article presents a case report of an occult cervical spine fracture occurring in a wilderness setting and discusses the special considerations of managing wilderness trauma patients who may have an occult cervical spine injury.
UffordJ.Kammeyer survives 800 foot fall; climber credits his helmet with saving his life. Jackson Times1992; 17, A3–A13June
8.
WalterJ.DorisP.E.ShafferM.A.Clinical presentation of patients with acute cervical spine injury. Ann Emerg Med1984; 13, 512–515
9.
RobergeR.J.WearsR.C.KellyM.et al.Selective application of cervical spine radiography in alert victims of blunt trauma: a prospective study. J Trauma1988; 28, 784–788
10.
SchussmanL.C.LutzL.J.ShawR.R.BohnnC.R.The epidemiology of mountaineering and rock climbing accidents. J Wild Medicine1990; 1, 235–248
11.
WilkersonJ.A.Medicine for Mountaineering. 3rd EditionSeattle: The Mountaineers, 1985
