title: Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scanning for adolescent back pain. A sine qua non?
abstract: Nine cases of adolescent back pain show that a diagnosis of spondylolysis cannot be made on physical examination alone and that single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scanning revealed pars interarticularis stress lesions undiagnosable on planar technetium-99 bone scan. As management of spondylolysis differs from other lumbar dysfunctional problems SPECT scanning of children should be a sine qua non in extension related back pain with a normal radiograph and planar bone scintigraphy.
authors.affiliation: London Bridge Clinic, UK.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Read
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001416:Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D012447:Sacrum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013169:Spondylolysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon