Abstract
Plain film evaluation is the most ubiquitous radiologic examination ordered for musculoskeletal and pain complaints. This imaging modality provides a two-dimensional view with excellent detail for bone but only limited characterization of soft tissue structures. Plain films can assess the spine and extremities for degenerative, inflammatory, ischemic and traumatic causes of acute and chronic pain. Many times, a positive finding on plain film will warrant more advanced imaging.
Multiple degenerative and inflammatory pathologies affect the spine, as well. Clinical presentation depends upon the spinal level and area of spine involved. Knowledge of spinal plain film anatomy and imaging findings, as well as its limitations, facilitates timely diagnosis and early intervention.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Jacobson JA, Girish G, Jiang Y, Sabb BJ. Radiographic evaluation of arthritis: degenerative joint disease and variations. Radiology. 2008;248(3):737–47.
Jacobson JA, Girish G, Jiang Y, Resnick D. Radiographic evaluation of arthritis: inflammatory conditions. Radiology. 2008;248(2):378–89.
Mandell J. Core radiology: a visual approach to diagnostic imaging. 1st ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2013, p. 34–338, 434–38.
Yochum TR, Rowe LJ. Essentials of radiology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004.
Bagley LJ. Imaging of spinal trauma. Radiol Clin North Am. 2006;44(1):1–12, vii.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Pitzen, J., Tariq, U., Weiss, F. (2019). X-ray. In: Abd-Elsayed, A. (eds) Pain. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99124-5_48
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99124-5_48
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-99123-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-99124-5
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)