CT Scans of Chronic Low Back Pain Patients Show Less Density of Paraspinal Muscles

A study from Norway published in the Journal Spine and reported in Doctor's Guide found the cross-sectional area and density of paraspinal muscles can be measured by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and are therefore important diagnostic tools for the evaluation of chronic back pain. In the study, two independent CT scans were done on patients with chronic low back pain on the same day and within 2 weeks. No significant differences were observed between the first and second CT scans on the same day or on different days by different radiologists.