The 1000 lumbar spine radiograph study

  • Authors

    • Glorianne Pullicino University of Malta
    • Jessica Pavia University of Malta
    • Paul Sciortino University of Malta
    • Ahmed Chilmeran Mater Dei Hospital
    • Philip Sciortino University of Malta
    • Richard Pullicino The Walton Centre, Liverpool
    2017-03-07
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ijm.v5i1.7322
  • Community Health Systems, Health Services Research, Low Back Pain, Primary Care, Radiology.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging is being increasingly used to optimize the diagnostic process for low back pain and to manage the risk of missing life-threatening pathology. The aim of the study was to examine the care pathway of low back pain with respect to the utilisation of CT and MRI service utilisation. A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study was performed. A random sample of 1000 primary care patients presenting with low back pain who underwent lumbar spine radiography within a specified period was explored. 20% (n=198) of patients who underwent lumbosacral spine X-ray were referred for MRI investigation. Subsequently, 15 (7.6%) patients underwent joint infiltration whilst 6 (3%) patients underwent neurosurgical intervention during 2 years of follow-up. Such findings provide information for policy makers about the utility of MRI and CT scans.

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  • How to Cite

    Pullicino, G., Pavia, J., Sciortino, P., Chilmeran, A., Sciortino, P., & Pullicino, R. (2017). The 1000 lumbar spine radiograph study. International Journal of Medicine, 5(1), 94-96. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijm.v5i1.7322