Achados em exames de imagem x sintomatologia em pacientes com dor lombar: uma revisão bibliográfica

Abstract

Lumbar pain may be caused by various structures of the spine and, in most cases, their pathological causes are unclear. However, imaging tests are often required for diagnostic purposes. Objective: To correlate findings in imaging studies with symptomatology in patients with low back pain. Methods: Searches in the electronic databases PEDro, SciELO and Medline. We selected studies that cited the relationship between imaging and symptoms in patients with low back pain, published between 2004 and 2017. Results: The articles selected showed that the request for imaging examinations in low back pain should be performed when there are indications of severe conditions. The etiological diagnosis of low back pain should be based on a well-conducted clinical examination and the complementary exams should be requested with extreme caution to avoid unnecessary costs and diagnostic and therapeutic errors. Clinical and symptomatic improvement may occur without any noticeable morphological change in imaging examination. Conclusion: The present literature review did not find elements capable of relating the findings of the imaging studies with the symptomatology in patients with low back pain. Most of the time, well-done anamnesis and physical examination could be sufficient for a correct diagnosis of DL.