MRI Spinal Protocol

Author: Nikhil Kotnis, Consultant Radiologist, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals

Published Date: March 2020

Date to Review: March 2022

Description: The MSK Radiology, Spinal Orthopaedic and Physioworks teams have reviewed the pathway for spinal MR imaging. This framework is based on NICE guidance and is focused on ensuring patients requiring MR spinal imaging are triaged and imaged appropriately. Deciding when a patient needs MR spinal imaging can be difficult. The pathway ensures that patients requiring spinal MRI are able to access imaging in a timely manner, in line with the NICE guidelines on imaging back pain. The NICE guidelines recommend that patients access imaging in Specialist Care settings (Physioworks or Hospital). This will mean that GPs will not be able to request spinal MRI, except following discussion with the orthopaedic SpR on-call for urgent cases. More routine cases need to be referred to Physioworks via eRS.

This will take place with immediate effect after publication in the bulletin. If you have any queries please contact charles.heatley@nhs.net.

Rationale for the change in referral for direct access MRI. GPs will no longer be able to request directly unless they have contacted the MSK reg/consultant on call or a radiologist.