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Context: In the United States an estimated 6 million persons are affected by scoliosis, which is characterized by a 3-dimensional deformity of the spine that involves a curvature in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes., Objective: To determine the rates of scoliosis in patients with spine-related pain unassociated with cancer, as demonstrated by magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained with patients in either a weight-bearing or a supine position., Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective review of MR images obtained during a 2-year period in patients referred because of symptoms of radiculopathy or other spine-related pain unassociated with cancer and unresolved after conservative treatment. Images were obtained either with the patient supine or with the patient in a weight-bearing, seated position, and all images were reviewed by a neuroimaging physician. Scoliosis was assessed according to the Cobb angle method., Results: A total of 1982 MR images from 1486 patients were reviewed. Of those, 986 images in 761 patients were obtained with a low-field-strength (0.3-T) MR imager with the patient supine, and 996 images in 725 patients were obtained with a mid-field-strength (0.6-T) MR imager with the patient in a weight-bearing, seated position. Scoliosis (dextroscoliosis, levoscoliosis, or both) was identified in 958 MR images (48.3%), of which 779 (78.2%) were obtained with patients in a weight-bearing position and 179 (18.2%) were obtained with patients in a supine position., Conclusion: The scoliosis rate was lower in the supine MR imaging group than in the weight-bearing MR imaging group. Scoliosis rates may be affected by the position in which the patient is examined, with the possibility that the weight-bearing position differentially exposes scoliosis, compared with the supine position.

Background: Because the symptoms of drug misuse are nonspecific and difficult to detect, pain physicians have relied heavily on the results of urine drug tests to diagnose and treat chronic noncancer pain in patients who are prescribed controlled substances. However, changes in Medicare local carrier determinations for Medicare Part B providers in Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, and New York went into effect on July 1, 2009, whereby qualitative drug screening was no longer recognized as medically reasonable and necessary in the treatment of patients with chronic noncancer pain unless the patient presents with suspected drug overdose., Study Design: A retrospective review of urine drug testing services., Objective: To determine the extent of urine drug testing in patients with chronic noncancer pain in a large, Kentucky neuroscience practice offering pain management services combined with neurologic and neurosurgical services to better understand the potential effects of recent changes to Medicare benefits., Methods: An audit of services provided during 2007 was conducted using computer software., Outcome Measures: Outcome measures included the number of practice services, number of urine drug tests by payor, and the number of noncompliant patients by payor who self-released from care., Results: Urine drug tests represented approximately 18.2% of professional medical services rendered in 2007 to patients with a diagnosis of chronic noncancer pain. Of these, UDTs represented approximately 22.2% of services provided to Medicare patients and 24.6% of services provided to Medicaid patients. In 2007, 2,081 patients with noncompliant UDTs self released from the practice against medical advice. Of these, 23.1% were enrolled in Medicare and 47.5% were enrolled in Medicaid. Approximately 40% of patients were referred to the CARE Clinic on the basis of noncompliance as indicated by UDT and/or behavioral health issues. Of these, approximately 50% remained in treatment. Urine drug tests were also instrumental in revealing that 19.6% of patients showed signs of drug abuse or addiction. Of these patients, approximately 60% were government insured., Limitations: Not a prospective, double-blinded study. We approximated the proportion of patients potentially affected by drug abuse or addiction as the percentage of patients self releasing from medical care., Conclusion: In 2007, UDTs were used as an effective tool in adherence monitoring in a private neuroscience practice in Kentucky that offers pain management services combined with neurologic and neurosurgical services. UDTs were instrumental in referring 40% of patients for evaluation and treatment by behavioral health and addiction medicine specialists. UDTs were also instrumental in discovering signs of drug abuse or addiction in 19.6% of patients. Of these patients, approximately 60% were government insured. Should the objective and reliable sign offered by UDTs be eliminated from the physician's toolbox, the physician's ability to accurately diagnose and treat these patients could be impaired.

Background: Urine drug testing has become a widely used tool in American society for deterring illicit drug use. In the practice of medicine, urine drug testing is commonly used to help diagnose substance misuse, abuse, or addiction., Objective: This narrative review provides an informed perspective on the importance of urine drug testing in the medical treatment of chronic noncancer pain. The history and current uses of urine drug tests in the United States are reviewed, the prevalence and nature of prescription drug misuse is described as is related to chronic noncancer pain, and implications and considerations for practitioners are presented related to the noncancer pain diagnosis and treatment., Discussion: Practitioners are confronted with the ethical and legal dilemma of being called to adequately treat chronic pain in a culture with a high prevalence of prescription drug abuse. Yet the symptoms of drug abuse are nonspecific and therefore of limited value to the practitioner in determining patient compliance to drug treatment regimens. In contrast, urine drug testing has a reliable history, both in and out of medicine, as an independent sign of drug misuse. This sign can be used to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of drug misuse and underlying addictions to improve patient outcomes., Conclusion: Regular urine drug testing should be a part of acute and chronic pain management whether or not the patient has any signs or symptoms of drug misuse.