BACK PAIN IN CHILDREN - A PROBLEM TO BE T AKEN SERIOUSLY

Back pain in children is a rare but serious problem. The varied etiolo gies and the necessary diagnostic workup are illustrated in 8 children . Infectious processes were found in 3 children, spondylodiscitis twic e and epidural abscess once. Tumours (one eosinophilic granuloma and o ne 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 neurol ogical examination, parameters of inflammation in the blood and conven tional radiography of the spine were helpful in guiding further invest igations. Scintigraphy was useful for localization of infectious and t umorous diseases. MRI was superior to CT in evaluating tumours and mal formations of the spinal cord. In most cases CT was sufficient in work up of infectious and osseous processes.