The Wording of a Radiology Report Makes a Difference

Physicians changed their management of lower back pain after being reminded that LS spine abnormalities on MRI are often meaningless.

When a patient complains of back pain or sciatica, the physician often reacts by ordering a magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the lumbosacral (LS) spine. However, guidelines argue against such a practice, because radiologic LS spine abnormalities are common in asymptomatic individuals and generally should not change first-pass conservative management.

Beginning in 2005, the radiology reporting system at a single U.S. hospital incorporated a statement reminding clinicians of the high prevalence of MRI spine abnormalities in asymptomatic adults. Although the statement was intended to be included in all LS spine MRI reports, only a minority of radiologists used it. To determine whether the statement altered physicians' treatment recommendations…

Reviewing Author

Abigail Zuger, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Abigail Zuger, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose