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Diagnosis
Various history and physical examination characteristics predicted nerve root compression

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebm.8.1.26

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    (2002) J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 72, 630; Vroomen PC, de Krom MC, Wilmink JK, et al.. Diagnostic value of history and physical examination in patients suspected of lumbosacral nerve root compression.. ;. :. –4.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text

    
 
 QUESTION: In patients presenting to a primary care physician with a new episode of pain radiating into the leg, how accurate are history and physical examination characteristics for detecting nerve root compression?

    Design

    Blinded comparison of history and physical examination characteristics with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

    Setting

    Neurology department of a university hospital in Maastricht, the Netherlands.

    Patients

    274 patients (mean age 46 y, 51% men) with a new episode of pain radiating into the leg. Exclusion criteria were previous spinal surgery, pregnancy, severe comorbidity, or contraindication to MR imaging.

    Description of test and diagnostic standard

    Standardised methods were used to assess history and physical characteristics. The diagnostic standard was MR imaging of the lumbar spine within 24 hours …

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    Footnotes

    • Source of funding: not stated.

    • For correspondence: Dr P C Vroomen, Maastricht University Hospital, Maastricht, the Netherlands. pvr{at}sneu.azm.nl