A cost effective screening protocol for vestibular schwannoma in the late 90s

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging modality of choice in diagnosing vestibular schwannoma (VS). Perceived high costs have prevented clinicians from using it as a screening investigation, although MR scanners are now widely available in the United Kingdom. In a retrospective study, the clinical records of all the patients who presented to the ENT department of Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust with suspected symptoms of VS during the year 1994 were analysed. The cost of confirming or refuting the diagnosis of VS in each patient ranged from 220.72 pounds to 580.31 pounds depending on the number of hospital visits and investigations performed. This study shows that the routine use of MR scanning for detection of VS is cost effective and more effective than the use of conventional tests.