NEXUS Criteria for C-Spine Imaging

Determines who can be cleared clinically of cervical spine fracture without imaging, by NEXUS study criteria.

Focal Neurologic Deficit Present?
Midline Spinal Tenderness Present?
Altered Level of Consciousness Present?
Intoxication Present?
Distracting Injury Present?
Patient has none of these
One easy mnemonic for these criteria is NSAID:
  • Neuro Deficit
  • Spinal Tenderness (Midline)
  • Altered Mental Status/Level of Consciousness
  • Intoxication
  • Distracting Injury
From The Canadian C-Spine Rule versus the NEXUS Low-Risk Criteria in Patients with Trauma, see below:

Posted in: NeurologicNeurologySurgeryTrauma









The NNT : Quick Summaries of Evidence-Based Medicine