Imaging of Back Pain in Children and Adolescents

Purpose: To present the imaging findings of the wide spectrum of musculoskeletal diseases causing back pain in children and adolescents. Discussion: Back pain in children is a rare condition but may denote a serious health problem; hence, full clinical history, physical examination, and appropriate laboratory studies should be obtained. In this scientific exhibit, we present the imaging findings of the variable musculoskeletal diseases that are associated with back pain in children and adolescents. These disease processes include scoliosis of various causes; spondylolysis; spondylolisthesis; traumatic injuries; disc degeneration and herniation; Scheuermann’s disease; spondylodiscitis; tumors (primary, secondary, hematogenous); and miscellaneous conditions (eg, metabolic disorders, sickle cell disease, osteoporosis). Conclusion: A wide spectrum of diseases causing back pain in children is presented. Radiologists should be aware of the imaging findings of this rather uncommon entity to help in reaching the appropriate diagnosis.