🦴 PECARN Pediatric C-Spine Imaging Rule
UseWhen to use: children after blunt trauma when deciding CT vs X-ray vs clinical clearance.
StrataNo PECARN factors → very low CSI risk clearance cue; still weigh mechanism.
LimitsWhen not to use: penetrating trauma / skeletal dysplasia pathways. · Pitfall: ignoring substantial injury definitions. · Not a sole collar-clearance medicolegal shield.
SourcePECARN 2024 pediatric C-spine imaging prediction rule
This-shift next steps
After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.
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Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
High vs intermediate vs none.
When to use
When to use: children after blunt trauma when deciding CT vs X-ray vs clinical clearance.
How it works
High-risk → CT cue; intermediate only → X-ray cue; none → clearance cue.
Key points
- High vs intermediate vs none.
- 2024 PECARN.
- Next: trauma pathway / imaging.
References
- PECARN 2024 pediatric C-spine imaging prediction rule
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| High: GCS 3–8 or AVPU = U | No |
|---|---|
| High: Abnormal airway / breathing / circulation | No |
| High: Focal neurologic deficit | No |
| Intermediate: GCS 9–14 / AVPU V or P / other AMS | No |
| Intermediate: Neck pain or midline neck tenderness | No |
| Intermediate: Substantial head or torso injury* | No |
→PECARN C-spineNo PECARN factors
- High-risk any：No
- Intermediate any：No
- Cue：Clinical clearance without imaging may be appropriate — still weigh mechanism.
| High: GCS 3–8 or AVPU = U | Yes |
|---|---|
| High: Abnormal airway / breathing / circulation | Yes |
| High: Focal neurologic deficit | Yes |
| Intermediate: GCS 9–14 / AVPU V or P / other AMS | Yes |
| Intermediate: Neck pain or midline neck tenderness | Yes |
| Intermediate: Substantial head or torso injury* | Yes |
→PECARN C-spineHigh risk
- High-risk any：Yes
- Intermediate any：Yes
- Cue：Consider CT cervical spine (local trauma pathway).
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Does PECARN Pediatric C-Spine Imaging Rule upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
- Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
- How is PECARN Pediatric C-Spine Imaging Rule calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: High: GCS 3–8 or AVPU = U No, High: Abnormal airway / breathing / circulation No, High: Focal neurologic deficit No, Intermediate: GCS 9–14 / AVPU V or P / other AMS No, Intermediate: Neck pain or midline neck tenderness No, Intermediate: Substantial head or torso injury* No → Result: PECARN C-spine No PECARN factors（High-risk any: No, Intermediate any: No, Cue: Clinical clearance without imaging may be appropriate — still weigh mechanism.） Inputs: High: GCS 3–8 or AVPU = U Yes, High: Abnormal airway / breathing / circulation Yes, High: Focal neurologic deficit Yes, Intermediate: GCS 9–14 / AVPU V or P / other AMS Yes, Intermediate: Neck pain or midline neck tenderness Yes, Intermediate: Substantial head or torso injury* Yes → Result: PECARN C-spine High risk（High-risk any: Yes, Intermediate any: Yes, Cue: Consider CT cervical spine (local trauma pathway).）