Imaging the bad back: increasing reliance on MRI.
Magnetic resonance imaging is becoming the key investigation for the 'bad back'. With increasing availability and lower costs, it will gradually replace other forms of imaging. The current difficulties are to determine which patients most deserve this expensive test and at what stage of their illness they should be referred. These and other dilemmas are discussed.
Dixon
A K
AK
University of Cambridge.
D001416:Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography