Review Question - QID 3765

A 47-year-old male arrives as a transfer from an urgent care center 2 hours after he reportedly fell from a tree. He reports neck pain and worsening subjective weakness in his lower extremities. On physical exam he is alert, oriented, and following command calmly. His motor exam shows he is unable to do a straight raise against gravity. He has abrasions and lacerations on his right flank. He arrived with the radiographs shown in Figure A. An emergent MRI is performed which shows severe cervical canal stenosis due to retropulsion of bone. Which of the following should be performed prior to definitive surgical treatment?