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MR imaging as the primary modality for neuroradiologic evaluation of the lumbar spine. Effects on cost and number of examinations

Annertz, Mårten LU ; Wingstrand, H ; Stromqvist, B and Holtås, Stig LU (1996) In Acta Radiologica 37(3 Pt 1). p.373-380
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects on cost, and number of primary and supplementary neuroradiologic examinations, after introducing MR imaging as the primary modality in the evaluation of the lumbar spine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two 5-month periods were compared: period 1--before MR; and period 2--after introduction of a 2nd MR device. In period 1, patients were examined with myelography and/or CT after referral from specialists only, whereas in period 2 both specialists and general practitioners could refer patients for MR imaging. The direct cost (neuroradiologic methods and hospitalization) and indirect cost (sick-leave and estimated loss of production caused by the diagnostic procedure) were estimated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In period 1,... (More)
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects on cost, and number of primary and supplementary neuroradiologic examinations, after introducing MR imaging as the primary modality in the evaluation of the lumbar spine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two 5-month periods were compared: period 1--before MR; and period 2--after introduction of a 2nd MR device. In period 1, patients were examined with myelography and/or CT after referral from specialists only, whereas in period 2 both specialists and general practitioners could refer patients for MR imaging. The direct cost (neuroradiologic methods and hospitalization) and indirect cost (sick-leave and estimated loss of production caused by the diagnostic procedure) were estimated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In period 1, investigations were started in 75 patients (62 myelographies and 13 CT examinations); in period 2, in 227 patients (198 MR, 21 CT, and 8 myelographies). The estimated total cost increased from SEK 825,000 to 1,265,000 (53%), the cost per investigated patient decreasing from 11,000 to 5565 (50%), and the cost of preoperative investigation per operated patient decreasing from 8616 to 5563 (35%). The number of supplementary examinations was unchanged. (Less)
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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Acta Radiologica
volume
37
issue
3 Pt 1
pages
373 - 380
publisher
SAGE Publications
external identifiers
  • pmid:8845272
  • scopus:0030138561
ISSN
1600-0455
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
7a47c2f4-f0b6-43aa-8592-4365ea504c25 (old id 1110444)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 16:59:42
date last changed
2022-03-07 17:43:49
@article{7a47c2f4-f0b6-43aa-8592-4365ea504c25,
  abstract     = {{PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects on cost, and number of primary and supplementary neuroradiologic examinations, after introducing MR imaging as the primary modality in the evaluation of the lumbar spine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two 5-month periods were compared: period 1--before MR; and period 2--after introduction of a 2nd MR device. In period 1, patients were examined with myelography and/or CT after referral from specialists only, whereas in period 2 both specialists and general practitioners could refer patients for MR imaging. The direct cost (neuroradiologic methods and hospitalization) and indirect cost (sick-leave and estimated loss of production caused by the diagnostic procedure) were estimated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In period 1, investigations were started in 75 patients (62 myelographies and 13 CT examinations); in period 2, in 227 patients (198 MR, 21 CT, and 8 myelographies). The estimated total cost increased from SEK 825,000 to 1,265,000 (53%), the cost per investigated patient decreasing from 11,000 to 5565 (50%), and the cost of preoperative investigation per operated patient decreasing from 8616 to 5563 (35%). The number of supplementary examinations was unchanged.}},
  author       = {{Annertz, Mårten and Wingstrand, H and Stromqvist, B and Holtås, Stig}},
  issn         = {{1600-0455}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3 Pt 1}},
  pages        = {{373--380}},
  publisher    = {{SAGE Publications}},
  series       = {{Acta Radiologica}},
  title        = {{MR imaging as the primary modality for neuroradiologic evaluation of the lumbar spine. Effects on cost and number of examinations}},
  volume       = {{37}},
  year         = {{1996}},
}