Diagnostic accuracy of lumbar CT and MRI in the evaluation of chronic low back pain without red flag symptoms

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: CT is as sensitive as lumbar MRI in the evaluation of most of the items analysed, excluding Modic changes, degenerative changes, signal of the disc and disc herniation. In addition, these results are obtained regardless the experience of the radiologist. The rising use of diagnostic medical imaging and the improvement of image quality brings the opportunity of making a second look of abdominal CT in search of causes of LBP. Thereby, inappropriate medical imaging could be avoided (2). In addition, it would allow to reduce MRI waiting list and prioritize other patients with more severe pathology than LBP.PMID:37858354 | DOI:10.1016/j.rxeng.2023.02.004

Source: Radiologia - October 20, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: J Martel Villagr án R T Mart ínez-Sánchez E Cebada-Chaparro A L Bueno Horcajadas E P érez-Fernández Source Type: research