Head and neck trauma

1. Step 1 · Neurology

   Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

   Document level of consciousness (components, not only total).

   Population

   All trauma patients

   Key limitation

   Confounded by intubation/sedation.

   Inputs

   3

   Open tool

2. Step 2 · Emergency Medicine

   Canadian CT Head Rule

   Minor head injury (GCS 13–15) — need for CT head.

   Population

   Adults, not anticoagulated

   Key limitation

   Many exclusions.

   Inputs

   9

   Open tool

3. Step 3 · Emergency Medicine

   Canadian C-Spine Rule

   Alert, stable patient — need for cervical spine imaging.

   Population

   Adults, GCS 15

   Key limitation

   Requires cooperative patient.

   Inputs

   10

   Open tool

4. Step 4 · Emergency Medicine

   NEXUS Criteria for C-Spine Imaging

   Blunt trauma — low-risk criteria for avoiding imaging.

   Population

   Blunt trauma

   Key limitation

   Lower sensitivity in older adults.

   Inputs

   5

   Open tool

The Navigator organises validated tools around a presentation. It does not recommend a diagnosis or treatment.