Chinese Med J Peking
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Chinese Med J Peking · Dec 2009
Meta AnalysisImaging of low back pain: comparative role of high intensity zone in diagnosing the discogenic low back pain with evidence-based radiology.
Discography is a gold standard for the diagnosis of the low back pain (LBP), but it has potential dangers for the development of discitis, cerebral spinal fluid leakage, retroperitoneal bleeding, acute new back pain and the tremendous radiation exposure to the patient. Using "evidence-based radiology" methods, the comparative roles of high intensity zone (HIZ) in diagnosing discogenic LBP were evaluated. ⋯ For suspected discogenic LBP, HIZ is limited for the diagnosis if HIZ is positive, which suggests further discography. In contrast HIZ is a good test for diagnosis if HIZ is negative, which indicates the disease can be excluded.