• M A Edwards, J Verwey, S Herbert, S Horne, and J E Smith.
• Emergency Department, Plymouth NHS Trust, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, Devon, UK.
• Emerg Med J. 2014 Jul 1; 31 (7): 591-592.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether elderly patients, presenting following trauma and requiring immobilisation and imaging of the cervical spine, require increased use of CT and spend longer immobilised when compared to the younger population.MethodsA retrospective chart review was undertaken of 35 adults aged 18-65 years, and 32 adults over 65 years, requiring cervical spine imaging following trauma.Results1 of the 35 younger patients, and 16 of the 32 elderly patients, underwent CT. Elderly patients spent 1:05 h longer immobilised (p<0.005).ConclusionsHalf of the elderly patients underwent CT, and they were immobilised for significantly longer than younger patients. Measures should be adopted to facilitate early diagnosis and mitigate complications of prolonged immobilisation in elderly patients with neck trauma.Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

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