A straightforward SEARCH PATTERN to use for interpreting lumbar spine x-rays

1. Numbering
2. Alignment on lateral
3. Vertebrae: height loss, fracture, or focal lesion
4. Disc: volume loss
5. Facet Disease / Arthrosis, Neural canal stenosis
6. Check vertebral body endplates, rule out height loss
7. Transverse process, pedicle, laminae, spinous process
8. Frontal Alignment
9. Check for L5/S1 disc disease on cone down
10. R/o Spondylolysis L5 (aka pars defect L5)