Selection and Utilization of Imaging Studies for Disorders of the Lumbar Spine

Radiologic studies are frequently needed in the diagnostic evaluatioof patients presenting with low back or radicular pain. With the recent development of complex imaging modalities, e.g., CT/MPR and MRI, many clinicians feel overwhelmed in trying to decide which examination will provide the most useful information in different clinical situations. This article compares the strengths of CT and MRI to facilitate the process of ordering the appropriate study.