Abstract
Introduction In no other country magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is as frequently used as in
Germany. The studyʼs aim is to analyse a daily referral procedure for hip MRI in German
healthcare and to estimate ineffective costs for the healthcare system.
Material and Methods Over one year 203 consecutive MRIs of the hip joint were analysed retrospectively.
Referrals were reviewed for their indications, e.g. prevalence of MRIs to detect intra-articular
pathologies in the German population was estimated with data of three health insurances.
Results No indication was noted on 21% of the referrals to MRI. On 66% of the referrals a
reasonable indications could be identified. There were more uncertainties of the indications
for arthrographies. Collecting data concerning the prevalence of MRI for intra-articular
hip pathologies is difficult due to the lack of precise diagnosis and procedure coding.
The expendable costs caused by MRI of the hip joint amount from 800,000 to 2.4 million
€ during a one year period.
Discussion Medical referrals should be used thoroughly for communication between referrers and
radiologists. Contribution of the letter of referral to health economics is underestimated.
To improve estimation of prevalences in the diagnostics of intra-articular hip pathologies,
precise diagnosis and procedure codings are needed.
Key words
MRI - hip - healthcare costs - referrals
