1st April 2022

A 62-year-old woman presents to A&E with severe back pain

A 62-year-old woman presents to A&E with severe back pain. She describes a sudden onset of lower back pain, which began around 3 hours ago and has increased in severity since. She has a background of chronic back pain and sciatica in her right leg but has never before experienced pain like this. There is no associated injury or trauma. On examination, lower limb power is reduced to 3/5 bilaterally, and she is struggling to mobilise despite being previously independently mobile.

Which of the following investigations is indicated as first-line? 

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.