The erect lateral lumbar roentgenogram in the evaluationof "low back" pain

A study was made of the potential value of the erect lateral flexion lumbar roentgenogram in a series of 50 adults, some with symptoms of low back pain and some without such symptoms. The film was made in addition to the standard antero-posterior, lateral and sometimes oblique views taken in the recumbent position. In 11 of 37 patients with low back pain, some narrowing of lumbar discs was visible in both horizontal and erect lateral films, the degree being not significantly different between the two positions. In one patient, localized anterior narrowing of a lumbar disc, which was not visible in the recumbent lateral film, was observed. This finding was confirmed at a subsequent examination. In one of 13 patients without lumbar area symptoms, slight anterior narrowing of a lumbar disc could be seen in the erect lateral film but not in the horizontal. The reason for this is not known; it may be physiologic in this particular patient. The value of the routine erect lateral flexion lumbar roentgenogram was not confirmed by this preliminary study.