Diagnosis of low back pain: role of imaging studies.

Approximately 70% of North Americans experience low back pain during their lifetime, with most of them demonstrating improvement within 2 to 4 weeks. The use of early radiographic evaluation is often unnecessary for uncomplicated acute low back injuries. Select patient populations have been identified for early evaluation. If the following red flags are associated with the pain, spinal imaging is indicated: possible fracture, neoplasm, infection, and cauda equina syndrome. High suspicion for the presence of one of these entities should prompt more formal evaluation of the spine. This article provides an overview of the commonly used diagnostic procedures in the evaluation of lumbar spine disorders.