Appropriateness of lumbar spine x-rays performed among children and young adults at Mengo Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/p07s1s73Keywords:
lumbar spine x-rays, children and young adults, Mengo HospitalAbstract
Background:
There is limited information regarding the appropriateness levels for Lumbar spine X-rays (LSX) imaging among children (2-17 years) and young adults (18-35 years) with non-traumatic Lower back pain (LBP) in Ugandan Hospitals.
Objective:
To describe the appropriateness and findings of LSX imaging among children and young adults with non-traumatic LBP at Mengo Hospital
Methodology:
This was a cross-sectional study of 294 records that belonged to children and young adults. The LSX images were re-interpreted for findings. The disagreement in the interpretation was resolved by providing the same image to a more experienced Radiologist whose interpretation was used as a decision. The investigator relied on the American College of Radiology (ACR) appropriateness criteria for LBP imaging as a reference for determining appropriateness level for LSX imaging.
Results:
The 51.7% of the records belonged to females. The 31% of the patients’ requests lacked information on the duration of LBP, radiculopathy, and red flag signs. The 65.7% of the LSX examinations were regarded as usually not appropriate, 3.7% were regarded; may be appropriate, and the rest had inadequate information to be judged for appropriateness level. The 65% of all patients had abnormal radiographic findings, with the commonest abnormal radiographic finding being lumbar straightening.
Conclusion:
About two-thirds of the LSX examinations performed among children and young adults with non-traumatic LBP at Mengo Hospital were deemed inappropriate. LSX findings of serious underlying pathologies were very rare among Children and young adults.
Recommendation:
Lumbar spine x-rays are not necessary in the majority of children and young adults with non-traumatic LBP at Mengo Hospital.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Loise Wairimu Ngurumi, Harriet Kisembo, Alen Musisi, Denish Odong, Namanda Justine, Margaret Mbabazi (Author)
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