Images and videos
Images
Assessment of back pain
Herniated nucleus pulposus causing nerve root impingement. Radicular symptoms may result from chemical mediators released by degenerative discs or mechanical compression of the nerve root
BMJ 2008;337:a2718; used with permission
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Assessment of back pain
Magnetic resonance imaging of osteomyelitis: T11-T12 disc space is involved with discitis (A). There is bony involvement of both vertebrae indicated by high T2 signal of the vertebral bodies. Arrow indicates a normal healthy vertebral disc
Courtesy of Dr K. Singh; used with permission
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Assessment of back pain
Magnetic resonance imaging of spinal stenosis: arrow points to the moderately stenotic spinal canal caused by hypertrophic facets and ligament flavum
Courtesy of Dr K. Singh; used with permission
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Assessment of back pain
X-ray of tumour: lymphoma (A) destroying the L5 vertebra
Courtesy of Dr K. Singh; used with permission
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Assessment of back pain
Spine x-ray: the 'winking owl' sign (asymmetrical appearance caused by destruction of the pedicle)
Courtesy of Dr D. Park; used with permission
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Assessment of back pain
Sensory dermatomes of the lower back and leg
Created by BMJ Knowledge Centre
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Assessment of back pain
Magnetic resonance imaging of spinal stenosis: (A) demarcates the normal sagittal diameter of the spinal canal. (B) demarcates severe narrowing of the spinal canal
Courtesy of Dr K. Singh; used with permission
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Assessment of back pain
The 'winking owl' sign (arrow): asymmetrical appearance of spine on plain x-rays caused by destruction of the pedicle
Created by BMJ Publishing Group
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Assessment of back pain
Coronal STIR (short tau inversion recovery) magnetic resonance image showing unilateral (right) sacroiliitis
BMJ 2006;333;581-585. © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 2009
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Assessment of back pain
Axial view of a vertebral body showing central spinal stenosis
BMJ 2008;337:a2718; used with permission
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Assessment of back pain
Magnetic resonance imaging of lymphoma: arrowhead indicates a soft-tissue mass protruding into the spinal canal. Arrow points to the tumour protruding anterior to the L5 vertebral body
Courtesy of Dr K. Singh; used with permission
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Assessment of back pain
Plain x-ray showing bilateral sacroiliitis in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis
BMJ 2006;333;581-585. © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 2009
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Assessment of back pain
X-ray of a compression fracture: a lateral x-ray of an L2 compression fracture (A). Wedging of the vertebral body is seen
Courtesy of Dr K. Singh; used with permission
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Videos
Inspection of the backHow to perform an inspection examination of the back, including inspection of gait and posture
Physical examination of the back demonstrationA GP demonstrates how to perform a physical examination of the back
Neurological examination of the back demonstrationA GP shows how to perform a neurological examination of the back
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