⌘+K

Pulse Explore Clubs Researchers Journals

Home Clubs Explore

May 22, 2026Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery

Evaluation of thoracolumbar spine injury utilizing plain film and physical exam in the pediatric population: A multicenter study

Tarun Prabhala Ava Herzog Rachel Scheub Ashar Ata Matthew A. Adamo Travis Bevington Tiffany Fabiano Drew Pierce Irim Salik Daniel Edelman Lauren Pierson Benjamin Coffey Derek Wakeman Mitchell Chess Kim Wallenstein Mary Edwards

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of plain x-rays and physical exams in screening for thoracolumbar spinal injuries in children.
Retrospective analysis of children aged 1 to 18 years with MRI or CT-confirmed TLSI across five trauma centers from 2017 to 2022.
Comparison of imaging types, interventions, and physical exam findings for injuries.
Evaluation of sensitivity of x-rays and correlation with need for surgery or bracing.
Identified 232 children with TLSI, with 57.3% receiving dedicated spine x-rays.
X-rays alone showed 82.7% sensitivity for detecting injury and 100% for injuries needing surgery.
Injuries were significantly correlated with positive spine x-rays and suspicious physical exam findings (p < 0.0001).

No abstract yet

We only have this paper's title and publication details.

Read it at the source→

Implication

Multicenter study demonstrates effective TLSI screening in children using plain x-rays and physical exam, suggesting less reliance on CT imaging.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Cite This Study

Prabhala et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a12968148a0ea16656734cb https://doi.org/10.1097/ta.0000000000004941

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Keep reading

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

1Plain Radiograph Use in Pediatric Blunt Trauma Patients with Suspicion for Cervical Spine Injury: A Prospective Observational Analysis of the Western Pediatric Cervical Spine StudyCohort Study · 2026
2Evaluation and Management of Thoracolumbar Spine Trauma in Pediatric Patients2024 · 5 citations
3Pediatric cervical spine clearance: a 10-year evaluation of X-ray in evaluable patients at a level 1 pediatric trauma center2025 · 2 citations
4Emergency Department Imaging of Pediatric Patients with Blunt Thoracic Trauma: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Practice Management GuidelineClinical Guideline · 2026
5Defining pediatric cervical spine clearance with computed tomography: A prospective observational study by the Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium and Western Trauma AssociationCohort Study · 2026 · 1 citations