title: Approach to imaging the patient with neck pain.
abstract: Neck pain is a common complaint of patients seeking care in the outpatient setting, and the cases seen vary widely in severity and cause. A careful history and physical exam, followed by appropriate imaging studies, are essential for the orderly work-up and management of neck pain in the ambulatory patient. Available imaging studies include plain film radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance, and CT myelography. The general considerations necessary to select the appropriate imaging study are discussed for a broad spectrum of common disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, 88 East Newton St, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barest
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis; D001850:Bone Diseases, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D010808:Physical Examination; D011859:Radiography; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis