Extract
Question: For patients with low-back pain, is rapid magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) better than radiography as an initial diagnostic
test?Design: Randomized (allocation concealed), blinded (outcome
assessor), controlled trial with 1-year follow-up.Setting: 4 imaging centers in western Washington State, United
States.Patients: 380 patients who were =18 years of age, had low-back
pain with or without pain radiating to the lower limb, spoke English, and had
a telephone. Exclusion criteria were lumbar surgery in the previous year,
history of acute external trauma, metallic implants in the lumbar spine,
contraindications for MRI, and pregnancy. Follow-up was
89%.