Table 1.

Keyword sequence used in databases.

Level 1

Spine + “back pain” + “diagnostic imaging”

Spine + “lower back pain” “diagnosis imaging”

Spine + “medical imaging”

Level 2 (includes level 1)

Lumbar

Thoracic

“Spinal injury”

Level 3 (includes 1 and possibly 2)

Diagnostic technologies

X-rays

CT scan

MRI

Radiography

Advantages

Scanning

Limitations

Ultrasound

Level 4 (Includes 1 and possibly 2 and 3)

Missed

Evaluation

Nuclear imaging

Thoracolumbar

Nuclear medicine,

Digital motion X-ray

Fluoroscopy

Upright MRI

t-spine

Discography

Standing

Myelography

Level 5 (includes 1 and possibly 2, 3 and 4 )

Bone scan

Contrast

SPECT

Pet scan