Clinical efficacy of SPECT bone imaging for low back pain.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive structured review of the literature, analyzing 940 citations from 1966 through September 1993 and completed a narrative review. We also attempted quantitative synthesis of the accuracy of SPECT evaluation of low back pain.

RESULTS

We found thirteen reports on accuracy. Only three provided a reasonable gold standard reference test and allowed the calculation of sensitivity and specificity. There is weak evidence that SPECT is useful in: (a) detecting pseudarthroses after failed spinal fusion, (b) evaluating young patients with back pain and (c) distinguishing benign from malignant lesions in cancer patients. SPECT has not been sufficiently studied in any other setting. We found no reports on the clinical outcome of SPECT or its cost-effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

The decision to use SPECT in most patients with low back pain cannot be supported by clinical trials. Its effect on clinical management and cost-effectiveness are unknown. The medical community should mount a large-scale, prospective evaluation of SPECT in low back pain.