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Questions and Answers
What is a common indication for lumber spine radiography?
Which of the following is a contraindication for lumber spine radiography?
What is the typical shape of vertebral bodies in a normal lumber spine radiograph?
What is a limitation of lumber spine radiography?
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What is a common radiographic finding in abnormal lumber spine radiographs?
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What is an optional radiographic view in lumber spine radiography?
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Study Notes
Lumber Spine Radiography
Indications
- Low back pain (acute or chronic)
- Trauma or injury to the lower back
- Suspected spinal deformity or curvature
- Post-operative evaluation
- Pre-operative evaluation for spinal surgery
Contraindications
- None absolute, but caution advised in:
- Pregnancy (risk of radiation exposure to fetus)
- Patients with implantable medical devices (e.g. pacemakers)
Radiographic Views
- Anteroposterior (AP) view
- Lateral view
- Oblique views (optional)
- Lateral bending views (optional)
Radiographic Findings
- Normal findings:
- Intervertebral disc spaces are uniform and well-maintained
- Vertebral bodies are rectangular in shape
- Facet joints are well-aligned
- Abnormal findings:
- Disc space narrowing or widening
- Vertebral body fractures or deformities
- Scoliosis or other spinal curvatures
- Osteophyte formation or bone spurs
- Spondylolisthesis or vertebral slipping
Limitations
- Limited sensitivity for soft tissue injuries
- Limited specificity for certain conditions (e.g. herniated discs)
- Radiation exposure is a concern, especially for pregnant patients
- May not be suitable for patients with metal implants or pacemakers
Lumber Spine Radiography
Indications
- Low back pain, either acute or chronic, is a primary indication for lumbar spine radiography
- Trauma or injury to the lower back warrants radiography to assess potential damage
- Suspected spinal deformity or curvature, such as scoliosis, can be evaluated using lumbar spine radiography
- Radiography is necessary for post-operative evaluation and pre-operative evaluation for spinal surgery
Contraindications
- Pregnancy is a relative contraindication due to the risk of radiation exposure to the fetus
- Patients with implantable medical devices, such as pacemakers, should be approached with caution due to potential interference with the device
Radiographic Views
- The standard anteroposterior (AP) view is used to evaluate the lumbar spine
- Lateral view is used to assess the alignment of the vertebral bodies
- Oblique views and lateral bending views may be used in specific situations to provide additional information
Radiographic Findings
- Normal lumbar spine radiography shows uniform and well-maintained intervertebral disc spaces, rectangular vertebral bodies, and well-aligned facet joints
- Abnormal findings include disc space narrowing or widening, vertebral body fractures or deformities, scoliosis, osteophyte formation, and spondylolisthesis
Limitations
- Lumbar spine radiography has limited sensitivity for detecting soft tissue injuries
- The modality has limited specificity for certain conditions, such as herniated discs
- Radiation exposure is a concern, particularly for pregnant patients
- Patients with metal implants or pacemakers may not be suitable for lumbar spine radiography
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Description
Test your knowledge of lumber spine radiography, including indications, contraindications, and radiographic views.
