Back Pain Back Pain Diagnosis and Imaging

Question 1

Which imaging modality is considered the gold standard for evaluating soft tissue structures in back pain?

Accepted Answer

MRI

Answer

Plain X-ray

Answer

CT scan

Answer

Bone scan

Question 2

A positive straight leg raise (SLR) test at less than 60° is most suggestive of which condition?

Accepted Answer

Lumbar nerve root compression

Answer

Facet joint arthropathy

Answer

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

Answer

Muscle strain

Question 3

Which red flag symptom in back pain warrants immediate evaluation for cauda equina syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Bladder or bowel dysfunction

Answer

Morning stiffness

Answer

Unilateral leg pain

Answer

Pain with prolonged sitting

Question 4

When is plain X-ray most useful in the workup of low back pain?

Accepted Answer

Ruling out fracture, tumor, or infection

Answer

Detecting disc herniations

Answer

Evaluating nerve root compression

Answer

Assessing muscle tears

Question 5

The Patrick (FABER) test is used to assess pain arising from which structure?

Accepted Answer

Hip joint or sacroiliac joint

Answer

Lumbar disc

Answer

Piriformis muscle only

Answer

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 6

Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) are most useful for evaluating which aspect of back pain?

Accepted Answer

Nerve root or peripheral nerve dysfunction

Answer

Disc degeneration severity

Answer

Vertebral alignment

Answer

Facet joint inflammation