Is Tomography scanner indicated in caring of lumbago in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso): results of retrospective study of 164 cases

Abstract

Aims: to evaluate with the guidelines of ANAES, the contribution of the scanner in the treatment of
sciatica in Burkina Faso.
Methods: We carried out a retrospective and descriptive study with 164 adult-patients under treatment of
sciatica in two medical structures of the city of ouagadougou and having had a scanner between January
1st 2008 and May 31st 2009.

results: the average age was 46.5 years old. the sex - ratio was of 1.05. the reasons of exploration by
the scanner were in conformity with the recommendations of the ANAES in 39 % of the cases. the scanner
showed a predominance of the discal pathology associated in 21.9 % of the cases with a disco-radicular
conflict. With patients whose reasons of exploration were in conformity with the recommendations of
the ANAES the proportion of discal hernia or discal degeneration was higher. After the realization of the
scanner the treatment has been modified with 75 patients (45.73 %) from which 39 had undergone a surgical
treatment. Conclusion: recommendations of ANAES aims to guide clinician in prescription of
tomography scanner in lumbago. this prescription has to recover from the only judgment of the clinician