The place of the CT scan in the three concept view (TCV) of the low back pain syndrome. A preliminary survey.

From the historical lines along which our thinking about low back pain developed, three concepts can be deduced: radicular, stenotic and axial. The patient with a low back pain syndrome (LBS) should be seen with this three concept view (TCV) in mind. Modern insight into the degenerative process of the low back supports this concept. The clinical syndromes illustrating these concepts, radicular syndromes, Neurogenic Peripheral Intermittent Claudication (NPIC), and axial low pack pain, can intermingle. To determine the place of the CT scan in the process of diagnosis of the LBS, we carried out a total of 56 CT-examinations on about 200 low back patients with various indications. The results are discussed. In addition to radiological suppositions, NPIC plays an important part in deciding whether or not to perform a CT scan.