[Back pain in children: symptoms which should be taken seriously]

Back pain in children is a rare but serious problem. The varied etiologies and the necessary diagnostic workup are illustrated in 8 children. Infectious processes were found in 3 children, spondylodiscitis twice and epidural abscess once. Tumours (one eosinophilic granuloma and one spinal ependymoma) were present in 2 boys. One girl had a herniated lumbar disc. Malformations (spondylolysis and diastematomyelia) were the cause of symptoms in 2 children. Leading symptom in all 8 children was back pain lasting from 3 days to 2 years. Careful clinical neurological examination, parameters of inflammation in the blood and conventional radiography of the spine were helpful in guiding further investigations. Scintigraphy was useful for localization of infectious and tumorous diseases. MRI was superior to CT in evaluating tumours and malformations of the spinal cord. In most cases CT was sufficient in workup of infectious and osseous processes.