This study provides a critical evaluation of the implications of additional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) use in the diagnosis of c-spine injuries.

We have demonstrated that an adjunctive MRI extends patients’ ED stays, increasing resource allocation and potentially affecting cost-effectiveness. However, our findings highlight that this change in diagnostic protocol only significantly impacts a subset of patients: those with neurological symptoms.

For these patients, an additional MRI is more likely to lead to a treatment alteration.

Conversely, in patients without neurological impairment, an additional MRI appears less critical, suggesting opportunities for more selective and cost-effective diagnostic strategies.

Our research underscores the importance of tailored diagnostic approaches in managing c-spine injuries, furthering the ongoing discourse surrounding optimal resource utilization and patient management in trauma settings.

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