How could it happen, that we’ve missed this fracture? This question is often heard. Even in the age of CT-scan and MRI and a huge number of highly trained and specialized spine surgeons – nearly every day, there are missed spinal injuries. It’s on us to teach all these emergency physicians to carefully listen to the patient or the witnesses of the trauma, check the underlying mechanism and individual conditions of the patient.

Hold on to the guidelines. And look for ankylosing spine! In ankylosing spine – new onset of pain after trauma is very highly suspect of a significant spinal injury!

Scientific links to systematic reviews: missed diagnosis in spinal trauma