Mechanical low back pain is common in adolescents and in most cases is undiagnosed; most require no imaging and ≤2 office visits. For spondylolysis, 2-view plain films are often diagnostic and oblique views did not add significant value. Advanced imaging increases diagnostic accuracy, but adds to the cost and considerable radiation exposure. Because diagnosis of spondylolysis rarely changes clinical management, physicians should use ionizing radiation studies sparingly in children.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Miller et al. (2013) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: