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Imaging of the Spine for Traumatic and Nontraumatic Etiologies

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Evidence-Based Imaging in Pediatrics

Key Points

■ Imaging in older children and adolescent victims of trauma should be limited to those who have any of the following criteria: (1) altered neurologic function, (2) intoxication, (3) midline posterior bony cervical spine tenderness, and (4) other painful distracting injury (moderate evidence).

■ In contrast to adults, children with back pain should undergo evaluation to understand the cause of back pain. Imaging is clearly indicated in children and adolescents when infection, tumor, or scoliosis is suspected. Imaging is probably not indicated in subjects with symptoms of relatively short duration and intensity and in whom the physical examination is benign (insufficient evidence).

■ Spondylolysis should be suspected in adolescent athletes with exercise-induced low back pain. Because spondylolysis may not be apparent on radiography, SPECT or CT is indicated if clinical suspicion is high (limited evidence).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA

    C. Craig Blackmore

Authors
  1. C. Craig Blackmore
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Correspondence to C. Craig Blackmore .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Radiology, Miami Children's Hospital, SW 114 Street 7420, Miami , 33156, U.S.A.

    L. Santiago Medina

  2. Dept. Radiology, Riley Children's Hospital, Barnhill Drive 702 , Indianapolis, 46202-5200, U.S.A.

    Kimberly E. Applegate

  3. Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Ninth Avenue 325, Seattle, 98104-2499, U.S.A.

    C. Craig Blackmore

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Blackmore, C.C. (2010). Imaging of the Spine for Traumatic and Nontraumatic Etiologies. In: Medina, L., Applegate, K., Blackmore, C. (eds) Evidence-Based Imaging in Pediatrics. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0922-0_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0922-0_15

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