The cost-effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging for investigation of the knee joint

Bryan S, Weatherburn G, Bungay H, Hatrick C, Salas C, Parry D, Field S, Heatley F
Record ID 32001000960
English
Authors' objectives:

This study considered the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of knee injuries in a district general hospital (DGH) setting. The principal objective was to identify whether the use of MRI had a major impact on the clinical management of patients presenting with chronic knee problems, in whom surgery was being considered, whether it reduced overall costs and whether it improved patient outcome.

In addition, the research:

1. explored the diagnostic accuracy of initial clinical investigation of the knee by an orthopaedic trainee, consultant knee specialist and consultant radiologist 2. considered the variability and diagnostic accuracy of interpretations of knee MRI investigations between radiologists 3. measured the strength of preference for the potential diagnostic/therapeutic impact of knee MRI (i.e. the avoidance of surgery).

Authors' recommendations: The evidence presented in this report supports the conclusions that the use of MRI in patients presenting at DGHs with chronic knee problems in whom arthroscopy was being considered did not increase NHS costs overall, was not associated with significantly worse outcomes and avoided surgery in a significant proportion of patients.
Authors' methods: Randomised controlled trial.
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: http://www.hta.ac.uk/909
Year Published: 2001
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: England, United Kingdom
MeSH Terms
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Knee Joint
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Knee Injuries
Contact
Organisation Name: NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme
Contact Address: NIHR Journals Library, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton SO16 7NS, UK
Contact Name: journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
Contact Email: journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
Copyright: 2001 Queen's Printer and Controller of HMSO
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.