Severe low-back pain. II: Changes in CT scans in the acute phase and after long-term observation.
No significant changes were noted in the CT-scan before and after 14 days of conservative therapy for low-back pain. Twenty of 33 patients had a disc herniation diagnosed on CT, and of these 18 patients were re-scanned after two weeks. Twelve patients were subsequently treated surgically, and of the remaining 8 patients 6 were re-scanned after 18 months. At this time the disc herniation had diminished significantly and was located in a more median position. In the 8 conservatively treated patients, the pain score at follow-up was related to the original size of the herniation (r = 0.72, p < 0.05).
Jensen
R
R
Department of Radiology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Bliddal
H
H
Hansen
S E
SE
Karle
A
A
Jensen
H
H
Christensen
T H
TH
Bay
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001510:Bed Rest; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014143:Traction