Boleaga DB

Language: Spanish
References: 12
Page: 89-98
PDF size: 209.53 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Lumbago (low back pain) is the clinical manifestation of pain in the lumbar region. Lumbago and lumbo ciatalgia are amongst the most frequent ailments affecting both men and women. During 2000, it was established that approximately 80% of the persons above 30 years old state having suffered from lumbago at least once in their life.
Simple X-Rays: This is a low-cost, effective and easily available means to demonstrate the vertebral and paravertebral pathology. Some radiology and image department already have digital radiology systems, which optimize the data quality, reduce patient radiation, and avoids repeating x-rays due to technical failures.
Myelography: This diagnosis method was originated in 1919 with the description made by Dandy about the pneumo encefalography, suggesting the use of subarachnoid air to diagnose spinal cord tumors. In 1922, Sicard and Forestier, observed that lipoidol moved freely in the subarachnoid space and decided to use it in the location of tumors in the spinal cord. In 1934, Mixter and Barr studied the inter-vertebrae disk hernia syndrome by means of myelography with lipiodol. In 1944, Ramsey and Strain learned that with pentopaque meningeal irritation was less than with lipiodol. Metrizamide, in 1975, set a new milestone in the study of rachimedular pathology.
Computed Tomography (CT): This is one of the most specific methods for patients with lumbago, due to its ability to detect alterations in the density of the structures that make up the spine. It also allows detecting bruises, calcifications and cysts. CT is a complement to a myelography with non-ionic contrast means (Myelo CT).
Magnetic Resonance Image: This is the diagnosis method of choice due to its specificity and sensitivity in detecting morphological alterations and to the intensity of the signal in the lumbosacral region, in assessing the aspects related with the integrity and conditions of the tissue structure of the vertebral segments, intervertebral disks, paravertebral soft tissue, including fat, ligaments and muscles.

REFERENCES

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