Imaging of the spine in sports medicine.

Much controversy exists surrounding the utility of plain film, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and bone scintigraphy in the evaluation of sports-related spine injuries. The articles reviewed here offer several different perspectives. Cervical spine radiography, return-to-play criteria following cervical trauma, lumbar pain and pars injuries, utility of MRI in acute sports injuries, and sports-specific injuries are reviewed. The relationship between bone mineral density and sports activity is also reviewed.